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CiUINCY IN 1857, 



OR 



FACTS AND FIGURES 



EXHIBITING 



te ^itantagfs, limiims, 



MANUFACTURES AND C OMirEERCE . 



B Y — ^?>: 



JOSEPH T. HOLMES. 



QUINCY , ILL. 

HERALD BOOK AKD JOB PRINTING ESTABLISHMENT. 

1857. 






I 



PREFACE. 



IN giving this volume to the public, the compi- 
ler deems it advisable to state that it has been 
prepared under tL. supervision of the Mayor and 
Council of the C^ty of Quincy, and others who 
i are thoroughly acquainted with her history and 
business ; and the facts and figures have been ob- 
tained from sources of unquestionable authority, 
I and may be relied upon as correct. Owing to the 
fact that no publication of this kind has been 
heretofore attempted in our city, and that no busi- 
ness returns have been collected or preserved in 
former years, the author regrets that he is unable 
to illustrate her progress in a manner at all de- 
tailed. It is to be hoped that in future, more 
efforts will be made by the citizens of Quincy, to 
direct public attention to this point as one of the 
most eligible in the West. With the hope that 
|his efforts may in some degree effect this object, 
this little work is now submitted to the public by 

THE AUTHOR. 



■?« 



HISTORICAL, 



The citizens of Quincy have long seemed singularly indif- 
ferent to the importance of placing before the public her 
just claims to notice. While the inhabitants of other Cities 
and Towns, with scarcely a tithe of her natural or artificial re- 
sources, have blown their trumpets long and lustily, and have 
laid their real or assumed advantages and prosperty with un- 
wearying perseverance before the public gaze, Quincy has 
alone been silent. JSTo flaming hand-bills have painted her 
glorious destiny to the dazzled eye of the emigrants who pour 
through our Western country. ISTo accomodating maps have 
been published representing her as the exact centre of the con_ 
tinent from which are to radiate iron arms that will embrace 
the whole confederacy. Not one of the arts have been em- 
ployed by which crafty speculators have won notoriety for their 
paper towns and lured the unsuspecting to less favored locali- 
ties, — but strong in the conscloumess of superiority, she has 
pursued her way quietly, but none the less steadily and surely 
to the position which she now occupies as one of the leading 
Cities of the Great West, — the second in importance in the 
State of Illinois, and the first in the Mississippi Valley above St. 
Louis, not only in Manufactures in which she stands unrivalled, 
nor yet in extent of Commerce, although in this, she challenges 
comparison, but in the unusual conjunction of these with un- 
equalled advantages in point of beauty of location, extent of 
public improvement, salubrity of chmate, facihties of education 
;' and general elegibility as a place of residence. She has at- 
tained her present eminence without ostentation or parade on 
the part of her citizens, who, in the midst of their schemes of 



6 

private business, have still f jimd leisure, not only to construct 
railroads, promote Commerce in its every branch, and encourage 
Manufactures of every description, but have not neglected to 
adorn and beautify her streets and public parks, to found mag- 
nificent schools for public instruction, and to erect church 
edifices of unsurpassed elegance and splendor. But it is now 
time that she should be presented in proper light before the 
public, — that facts and figures should be presented to demon- 
strate her superiority, and to convey to ears too distant 
to catch the hum of her busy machinery, the sound of her 
clanging forges, and the roar of the wheels of Commerce rolling 
through her streets — an announcement of her prosperity. There 
is no city in the whole broad West of equal population and im- 
portance, so little known and appreciated abroad as Quincy, 
and the compiler of this volume has undertaken it with the hope 
that public attention may be turned to this fact, and that her 
Merchants, Mechanics, and business men generally, may arouse 
to the importance of disseminating abroad correct information 
as to her advantages, resources, growth, size, and wealth. It is not 
the aim or the espcctationof this work to do full justice to the 
subject, but simply to enumerate a few of her present and pros- 
pective advantages as a manufacturing and commercial point, 
and to give a short account of her manufacturing and mercan- 
tile interests at the present time. 

Before speaking of her present and future position, it may 
not prove uninteresting or uninstructive to trace briefly the 
steps of advancement by which the transformation of a wilder- 
ness into so populous and flourishing a city has been effected, 
and to mention a few of the incidents and circumstances at- 
tending her early settlement. 

Quincy was originally selected as a town site in the year 1821 
by the Hon. John Wood, now Lieutenant Governor of the State, 
who visited this neighborhood in the fall of that year, in com- 
pany with two others named Moffit and Flinn, in order to look 
for and examine some land belonging to the latter, and which is 



now within the city limits. He was so impressed with the beauty 
of the spot, and so well satisfied that from its geographical 
position it must become the great point of outlet for the immense 
productions, which must speedily follow emigration to this and 
neighboring counties, that he determined in his own words to 
"settle here for life." He returned in the fall of the succeeding 
year and erected the first house within the present bounds of 
Quincy. It was a pi^imitive structure built without the aid of 
nails or sawed lumber, but unpretending as it was, the associa- 
tions hanging over it, the almost miraculous changes that have 
taken place in the face of the country surrounding it, and the 
marked vicissitudes attending the fortunes of the adventurous 
pioneer who constructed it, invest it at this day with a halo of 
interest peculiarly its own, and the mind loves to linger upon it 
as the germ planted in the wilds of the West, from which has 
sprung the present vigorous growth of our Model City. 

In the spring succeeding Mr. Wood's arrival, Major Jeremiah 
Kose, a native of Xew York, came with his family and shared 
his cabin, Mrs. Rose being the first white woman, and her 
daughter, now Mrs. George W. Brown, the first white child, re- 
siding in Quincy. The nest house was built in the spring of 
1824 by Mr. WillardKeyes, a native of Vermont, and a former 
acquaintance of Mr. Wood, and the third in the following fall 
by John Droulard, a Frenchman. At this time there was no 
white settlement in the Military Tract north of Gilead, a point 
sixty miles south of Quincy, (then called Cole's Point) near the 
centre of Calhoun County, and but two other white men, by 
name Perigo and Lile, in the bounds of what now is Adams 
County, and U. S. Troops were stationed at Fort Edwards, the 
present site of Warsaw, a point forty miles north of Quincy, 
for the protection of the frontier from the depredations of the 
Indians who lived in large numbers in the neighborhood. Our 
pioneers were obliged to go forty miles to mill, but a Dr. 
Baker, who settled in the fall of 1824 on the creek two miles 
south of Mr. Wood's house, in order to obviate this inconve- 



li^ 



nience, with Yankee ingenuity, constructed a machine for 
pounding corn, the motive power of which was water. Phicing 
the grain in a mortar, an industrious pestle soon reduced it to 
a state suited to]manufacture into very tolerable "hoe cakes." 
A tragical incident connected with the histoi\y of this "the first 
grist millin Quincy," should not be omitted. One night when 
" der machine " was in active operation, an unsophisticated coon 
instigated by the gnawings of hunger, or perhaps by motives of 
curiosity, attempted to penetrate into its hidden recesses. The 
descending pestle gave him a forcible intimation that his pres- 
ence was undesired, and knocking him into the mortar, it con- 
tinued to pound him with hearty good will until morning, by 
which time we may conclude that his spirit of exploration was 
effectually subdued. The condition of the "grist" may "be 
more easily imagined than described." 

Previous to the establishment of the white settlement, an 
Indian village of the "Sauk" tribe occupied the site of Quincy, 
and for several years after its establishment the original natives 
remained in the vicinity, but as a general thing were not trouble- 
some neighbors. 

In the fall of 182-1-, John Wood inserted in a newspaper prin- 
ted in Edwardsville, called the "Edwardsville Spectatoi'," a no- 
tice that application would be made to the next Legislature for the 
establishment of a new county, defining its boundaries. In ac- 
cordance with this application, by an act approved January 13th, 
1825, the Legislature provided for the organization of Adams 
County, fixing its bounderics as described in the notice, and as 
they now exist. Three commissioners were appointed to locate fj^i 
the County seat, Seymour Kellogg, of Morgan County ; Joel 
Wright, of Montgomery County ; and David Dutton of Pike 
County, who after traveling through and attentively examining 
the county, decided upon this spot as the' one best calculated for 
the future convenience and accommodation of the'people. They 
christened the new town Quincy, in honor of the President, 
and, although it must be confessed the ceremonials were not of 
^1" 



9 

the most imposing character, thenceforth the city of three log 
cabins rejoiced in a name. 

The first election of officers for Adams County was held on the 
second day of July, A. D. 1825, when forty votes were polled. 
Willard Keyes, Levi Wells and Peter Journey were elected 
County Commissioners, and at their first meeting, during the 
same month, Henry H. Snow was appointed clerk. This gentle- 
man, pursuant to an order dated November 9th, 1825, was em- 
ployed to survey and draw plats of the town, and two hundred 
and thirty lots, ninety-nine by a hundred and ninety-eight feet, 
were laid off. Much of the subsequent prosperity of the place 
may be ascribed to the wisdom and taste displayed in this sur- 
vey. Streets were laid off sixty-six feet wide, all but Maine 
Street, which is eighty-two and a half feet wide, and crossing- 
each other at right angles. A space of four hundred feet square 
was reserved in the centre of the town for a public square, now 
called Washington Square, and the inclosure which now is Jef- 
ferson Square was set apart for a public Cemetery. 

The first sale of town lots took place on the thirteenth day of 
December following, when fifty-one lots which had previously 
been advertised in the St, Louis and Edwardsville papers, were 
sold at public auction by the County Commissioners, the major 
part of which were purchased by the commissioners ithemsdlves, 
the Sheriff and other citizens of the County, very few being 
sold to outside speculators, and thus the curse which has vreighed 
so heavily on other Western towns was avoided. 

From the close of the year 1825 until the beginning of the 
year 1835, the growth of Quincy was not rapid. A variety of 
causes combined to produce this result. Many miles distant 
from mills and from any point where provisions or supplies of 
any kind could be obtained, her residents were obliged to dis- 
pense with many of those articles which are considered in older 
communities as among the " necessaries of life." Their coffee 
was a decoction of okro seed, an herb cultivated by them for 
that purpose, and which they sweetened with wild honey found 



10 

in great abundance in the neighboring woods. Their nearest 
blacksmith's shop was at Atlas, forty miles distant, where they 
carried their plows to be sharpened, swung upon a horse's back. 
These and other privations incident to pioneer life, together 
with several visitations of epidemic disease during the interval 
mentioned, prevented any great improvement. 

In the spring of 1826, Mr. Asher Anderson arrived with a 
stock of goods from Maryland and opened the first store, and 
in the fall of the same year a court house was built of hewed 
logs, on the corner of Maine and Fifth streets, and in this build- 
ing the first school was organized and kept. 

In 1828 Charles Holmes and Robert Tillson arrived and estab- 
lished themselves as merchants, and in the succeeding year, 
1829, they erected for their accommodation the first frame 
building in Quincy. This is still standing on the northwest cor- 
ner of Maine and Fourth streets, and is known as the "old 
post office corner." 

During this and the succeeding year several other stores were 
opened by different individuals, and the first Steam Flour Mill 
was erected by Mr. J. T. Holmes, and put an end, for a time, to 
the importation of flour. 

In the year 1832 the Black Hawk War broke out, but its chief 
effect upon Quincy was an increase of the number in military 
titles, as "Colonel," "Major," &c,, which it bestowed upon the 
citizens with a liberal hand. 

In 1833 the first regular church was organized, numbering 
fifteen members. 

In June, 1834, the town was incorporated, and Messrs. A.Wil- 
liams, Jos. T. Holmes, S. W. Rogers, Levi Wells and Micheal 
Mast were elected trustees. From this period may be dated the 
rapid advancement of Quincy in population and wealth. In the 
year 1835 she contained about seven hundred inhabitants, with 
the following estabhshments, professional men, &c. : 
10 Stores, 1 Bonnet Store, 

1 Pork Merchant, 3 Cabinet Shops, 



11 

3 Cooper Shops, 2 Bakeries, 

5 Carpenter Shops, 1 Coach Maker, 

2 Wagon Makers, 4 Saddlers, 

3 Brick Makers, 3 Plasterers, 

4 Tailors, 2 Boot & Shoe Makers, 
2 Butchers, 3 Blacksmiths, 

1 Silver Smith, 1 Wheehight, 

1 Chair Maker, 6 Lawyers, 

6 Physicians, 1 Printing OflSce, 

1 II. S. Land OflSce, 1 Land Agency, 

2 Saw Mills, 1 Steam Flour Mill, 

1 Wool Carding Machine, 3 Taverns, 

2 Drug Stores, 1 Gun Smith. 

LTp to this year a large portion of the Bacon and Flour for 
home consumption had been imported, but from that date until 
the present, large and annually increasing amounts have been 
exported. The value of these cxportations from July, 1834, to 
July, 1835, amounted to $40,000. 

In 183*7 the population had increased to 1,653, and produce 
was shipped as follows : Pork, |86,000, Flour, $19,500 Wheat, 
$8,000 worth. 

During this and the following year improvement went on 
with great rapidity. The Quincy House, which even now, sur- 
rounded as it is with the imposing structures of a later date, 
will attract attention, was erected by John Tillson, Sr. The 
Court House was built the same year upon the east side of the 
Public Square, and the " Quincy Library Association," which 
has since become so important a feature in the literary character 
of Quincy, was organized. The first Board of Directors con- 
sisted of E. J. Phillips, President ; J. I^. Ralston, Vice Presi- 
dent ; Lorenzo Bull, Secretary ; C. M. Woods, Ti-easurer ; J. 
Lyman, W. H. Taylor, Andrew Johnson, J. R. Randolph and 
N. Summers. 

Our space will not admit of a detailed enumeration of the 
advancement fi'om year to year. Passing over the interval 



12 

between 1838 and 1841, we find that the population in the latter 
year amounted to 2,686, and that the sales of Merchandize of 
all sorts footed up $329,800. Shipments of produce were as 
follows : Wheat, 275,000 bushels, Corn, 95,000 bushels, Oats, 
50,000 bushels ; and during the same year 12,000 Hogs were 
packed. The number of Steamboat arrivals was about 1,,000. 
In 1849 the population had increased to 5,500, and there were 
in the city 

26 Ketail Variety Stores, 5 Dry Good Stores, 

2 Hardware Stores, 10 Ware Houses, 

2 Book Stores, 4 Steam Flour Mills, 

3 Drug Stores, 2 Steam Saw Mills, 

2 Foundries, 7 Pork Houses,. 

3 Machine Shops, 4 Lumber Yards,, 
3 Printing Offices, 3 Tan Yards, 

2 Hotels, 5 Brick Yards, 

9 Physicians, 15 Lawyers, 

1^3 Churches,. 2 Public Schools, 

5 Private Schools. 

The increase in the amount of produce shipped was very great, 
but the absence of correct returns prevents an accurate state- 
ment. It may beset down, however, about as follows: Wheat, 
550,000 bushels, Corn, 150,000 bushels, Oats, 100,000 bushels. 
There were also about 5,500,000 pounds of pork packed. 

The annual increase in population from 1849 to 1857 has 
averaged about 1,600. This has been a steady and healthy ad- 
vancement, keeping even pace with that of the surrounding 
country. There has been none of the forced mushroom growth 
witnessed elsewhere, and consequently there is no danger of the 
violent reaction and retrogression which may justly be appre- 
hended in the case of some cities of more rapid increase. 

Up to the present time there have existed very great diffi- 
culties in combining a correct account of the amount of business 
transacted here, on account of the inattention displayed by busi- 
ness men in the preservation of correct returns. The establish- 



ment of a Board of Trade during the present year will hereafter 
Tery much facilitate the process, and greatly lessen the labor 
attending it. 

In the matter of incidents and reminiscences connected with 
the early settlement and progress of this city, very much has 
been omitted which would prove interesting to citizens and 
strangers. It is a field from which an abler pen might collect a 
volume that would be in the highest degree entertaining, and 
with the hope that this will soon be done, we turn from the past 
to glance at some of the advantages which Quincy possesses as 
a manufacturing and commercial point. 



^s 



^l 






MANUFACTURING AND COMMERCIAL ADVANTAGES. 



In considering the advantages of any city as a manufacturing 
|point, two things require to be especially regarded : the degree 
!;0f cheapness with which articles may be produced, and the 
facilities with which they may be distributed throughout the 
icountry. To a commercial place, the chief essential is free and 
icheap communication with other communities. These facts are 
universally admitted and amount almost to truisms, and explain 
why it is that in the west, which is bountifully blessed by nature 
with navigable Rivers and noble Lakes, and covered with a net- 
work of Railroads and Canals, we find so many rival cities of an 
almost exclusively commercial character, while so few are en- 
gaged in manufactures, facilities for which, are dispensed with a 
: more sparing hand. There are other circumstances which affect 
materially these interests, but those mentioned are the most im- 
portant, and it is with these considerations in view, that we 
:jthink it may safely be said that it rests with the citizens of 
I'Quincy to make her, in a very few years, a city of 100,000 inhab- 
itants ; the manufacturing and commercial centre of as highly 
favored a scope of country as the sun shines upon. 
K> Quincy is situated upon the Mississippi river, 160 miles above 
|: St. Louis, and 110 miles west of Springfield, the seat of Govern- 
kment of Illinois ; — -the county seat of Adams County, the second 
ji county in the State in population and wealth. She is the market 
If^for a country which is unsurpassed for fertility and productiveness. 
uOn the north and east within a distance easily accessible by Rail- 
road, lie vast beds of superior Coal, which are, as yet, almost un- 
disturbed. In the neighboring counties of Hancock and 
McDonough, some few veins have been opened, and a Company 



16 



has been organized Yvhich import it to some extent into the 
city, but considering the demand which even now, upon its first! 
introduction exists, and with the high price which results from >. 
imperfect apparatus and arrangements for mining, it may be?^ 
said that as yet, comparatively nothing has been done toward 
converting to use this impoi"tant element of wealth and pros-"" 
perity. The value of Coal as fuel or as a generator of steam is , 
too well known to require remark. Its superior excellence and I 
cheapness recommend it to universal use, and when these mines ^ 
are opened and worked to the extent of theii capacity, the ad-j 
vantage which Quiucy will enjoy over her neighbors will boa^ 
immense. Coal is not an article that admits of distant trans- i 
portatiou for general consumption, and while they are forced to/l|^ 
use wood as fuel at a large and yeai-ly increasing price, she may j 
enjoy an ample supply of Coal at a cheap and constantly de-'^ 
creasing rate. This single circumstance, other things being /] 
equal, gives her great superiority as a manufacturing point. {\ 

The Quincy Coal Company have imported during the last six ^ 
months 300,000 bushels of Coal into lihe city, of which amount 
our founderies and factories used 275,000 bushels; and although 
during the greater part of the time it has commanded an extrav-? 
agant price, yet, even at this rate, and with heavily timbered^ 
lands on every hand, it has been found much cheaper than wood. 
The price at the present time is seventeen cents per bushel, and ^i 
with increased capital fecilities for mining and transportation, _ 
and the competition that will ensue upon the opening to market 
of the large deposits in Brown and Schuyler Counties, by the.; 
comipletion of the " Quincy and Toledo Railroad," we may rea- 
sonably expect that it will soon be afforded at twelve cents per, 
bushel. In addition to the abundance of coal, the cheapness 
of erecting buildings suitable to extensive operations, theVj' 
abandauce of labor, and the small cost of sustaining a working ^y, 
population, together with other circumstances favorable to ' 
economical production, all tend to designate this as the future 
Store House and Manufacturing; Centre of a large extent of*' 



IV 

territory. Rafts of pine lumber are constantly arriving from the 
iUpper Mississippi, but the supply heretofore has scarcely been 
commensurate with the demand. Within the past year, however, 

I /jgreat attention has been paid to the production of hard wood 
lumber in the immediate vicinity of this city. Fpon the bluffs 
adjoining on the north and south, on the islands in the river 
[within a short distance above and below, and immediately opposite 
on the Missouri shore, lie vast tracts of timber lands which will 
eventually be made to furnish not only a large proportion of 
timber required for building purposes, but also of that employed 
iin manufacturing wagons, household furniture, &c., to which it is 
ladmirably adapted. Several Steam Saw Mills are now in active 
operation, and two or three, for a series of years, have done a large 
and profitable business ; but in common with all other producing 
establishments, they have been found the past year or two, inad- 
equate to supply the growing necessities of the place, and several 
additional ones have been erected in the dense forests of Mis- 
. souri, opposite the city, and upon the neighboring islands, the 
influence of which is already perceptible upon the lumber mar- 
ket of Quincy. The engine and machinery necessary to run a 
productive mill, may be purchased here, carried and set up 
within a short distance in the midst of an almost inexhaustible 
supply of Walnut, Oak, Elm, Maple, Ash, Linn, Hickory, and 
other of the heavier kinds of timber, for a comparatively small 
sura, and the cost of getting the lumber to market is shght. 
From these facts we are justified in concluding that good and 
cheap lumber may hereafter be had in abundance. 

The Bluffs in the neighborhood contain large deposits of the 
best limestone, admirably suited to building purposes, and ex- 
tensive quarries supply the city with it in great abundance. 
Lime and brick are manufactured on an extensive scale, and 
late patented improvements have greatly faciUtated the process, 

I. and materially lessened the expense. In short, all kinds of ma- 
terial employed in building, may be purchased in any quantities 

* at the lowest rates. 



18 

The beauty and healthfulness of the location, as well as the 
comparatively low figures at which real estate is held, have at- 1 
tracted to this point a large proportion of mechanics and labor- 
boring men, who are to a large and perhaps unequalled extent 
house-holders, and proprietors of the dwellings which they in- 
habit. The exemption from exorbitant rents, the cheapness 
and abundance of fuel, the large amount of breadstuff's manu- 
factured, and the fertility and productiveness of the country in 
which the city is situated, together conspire to render the cost 
of living comparatively small. Labor is thus more remunera- 
tive, although afforded at a cheaper rate, than at almost any""t 
other point in the West. 

This is a consideration of the highest importance to a manu- ■< 
facturing community; and without it, establishments on an exten- 
ded scale, which require the employment of a large number of *• 
hands, could not be prt)fitably conducted. The position of 
Quincy upon the Mississippi River enables her readily to import 
the raw material which goes to supply her manufactories. In 
addition to this great natural advantage which affords cheap and 
reliable means during three fourths of the year, for the distribu- 
tion abroad of manufactured articles, as well as for the reception 
of materials, Railroads are projected or built to the IsTorth, South, - 
East and West, which, when completed, (as the most important 
will be in a very short time,) will prove an inestimable advantage - 
to her manufactui-ing interests. On the West lies a country of 
unsurpassed fertility, of great extent, and rich in mineral re- 
sources, that must become tributary to her, if her citizens cour 
tinue to push forward her railroad enterprises in this direction 
with the energy heretofore displayed, and she will thus be put ^ 
in possession not only of a large and profitable trade, but of a 
plentiful supply of the products necessary to feed her work., 
shops and factories. Of these roads we propose to speak more 
in detail in a subsequent portion of this work. They are too'" 
important too pass over with a .cursory remark, and are of vital 
interest to Quincy, not only as they relate to her manufacturing ' 



19 

|and commercial character, but in connection with every other 
department of social and industrial advancement. Their consid- 
eration will fall naturally under the head of Commercial Ad- 
j vantages, although it may be questioned whether they will more 
assist her commerce than her manufactures. The facts, which 
I have been briefly stated, are a few of the peculiarities of 
[position which will enable Quincy to manufacture with such 
ilcheapness to compete successfully in their own fields with such 
ticities as Pittsburg, Cincinnati, and St. Louis, each of which she 
[ds gradually supplanting in places heretofore dependent upon 
,them for their supplies. They are sufficient to establish that 
:her resources as a manufacturing city, are unexcelled, so far as 
Ifacilities for production are concerned. With regard to means 
lof distribution she is equally fortunate. This will be apparent 
kwhile we speak of her commercial advantages, for the same 
!) circumstances that favor the distribution of her wares, conduce 
Uo render her commerce extensive and valuable. 

The Levee and Harbor are unsurpassed by those of any other 
[i;port on the Mississippi river. The Levee is wide and admirably 
1 suited to business purposes. The demands made upon it during 
1 the last year, however, somewhat taxed its capacity, and it is 

1 . 

:;:^ontemplated by the city authorities, to enlarge, and otherwise 

1: improve it, within the present year. With the proposed ad- 
..ditions, it will be about one mile in length. It is easily accessi- 
ble to boats of the largest draught, at the lowest stages of water. 

l/Quincy Bay, which extends from the northern end of the Levee, 
four miles in a northerly direction, being completely land- 
locked, offers rare inducements of which many steamers yearly 

I avail themselves, as a secure place for winter quarters. The 
*depth of water is sufficient to admit the largest boats with 
perfect safety, and their security from damage by floating ice, 
upon the "breaking up" of the river in the spring, is entire. 
^ The arrivals and departures of Steamboats from the port of 
Quincy, amounted, in 1856, to 2,921. Two daily lines of 

'7i*ackets run to St. Louis, and one to Keokuk — a city in Iowa, 



20 



some forty miles above here, at the foot of the lower rapids. 
In addition to these regular lines, opportunities for shipping 
merchandize, by means of transient boats, to the regions of the,^ 
Upper Mississippi, and to all other points accessible by the 
river and its tributaries, are constant and reliable. These 
excellent facilities of transportation, cause an influx of vast 
quantities of varied products and manufactures of the great ^ 
Mississippi Valley, which are distributed from this point to the 
surrounding country. -^ 

In the year 1853, Quincy was made a port of entry and at- 
tached to the collection district of New Orleans. A yearl/^ 
increasing number of her merchants import their goods directly 
from the European manufactures, with but a single reshipment.* 
The freight upon goods to JSTew Orleans, from the various 
European ports, is much less than from the same ports to Boston, 
New York, Philadelphia or other eastern cities. , 

The large number of vessels engaged in the transportation of 
cotton from New Orleans, are anxious to secure freight; manf^^ 
of them returning in ballast. Quincy merchants are thus en- 
abled to duplicate the bills of St. Louis, with the slight addition 
of freight from that point to this, an addition which northerm 
and western dealers must pay in any event. They have nc? 
hesitancy in saying that they can sell cheaper than the merchants 
of Chicago, who are compelled to pay heavier freights, not onlj) 
for the transportation of their goods from Europe, but for their; 
carriage from the Atlantic cities to the interior. It is thus^ 
apparent that Quincy is the point to which dealers along tt*' 
line of her Kailroads projected and built, should and will, turni 
their attention for the purchase of their stocks. These facilities^ 
of importation, combined with the various circumstances which! 
have been mentioned, as facilitating manufactures, make hew 
the most eligible place for their supply. 

On the Illinois side of the Mississippi Kiver, for a distance ol?i 
more than one hundred and fifty miles, Quincy is the only poinin 
where the bluffs approach the river, and where the landing dj'i 



21 

steamers of heavy draught during the lower stages of the 
water, is at all practicable. From this circumstance, if from 
no other, she is, and must continue to be, the market for the 
^' grain and other products of the western portion of the Military 
Tract : a district of country, somewhat circumscribed in area, 
it is true — but unexcelled on the face of the globe for fertility, 
I as it is in beauty, and one of the most populous and wealthy 
portions in the State of Illinois. This country has heretofore 
been the chief source from which Quincy has drawn her supply 
of country produce, and before the completion of any Kailroad 
terminating here, she drew simply by the superiority of her 
shipping facilities, the trade of the whole of this section, to her- 
self, although much of its produce had to be hauled over heavy 
roads, a distance of many miles. But since the construction o^ 
the Quincy and Chicago Railroad, leading north-east to Chicago, 
a distance of about two hundred and eighty miles, through 
some of the finest counties in the State, a great change has 
taken place in the character of her trade. A new impetus has 
been given to every branch of her commerce, and the area of 
country tributary to her, very greatly extended. 

To afford some idea of the effect this Road has had upon 
her produce market, we append a short statement of the 
amount of produce shipped to this point from a few of the 
towns which before its completion, zoere not in existence. 

Camp Point, twenty miles distant, the point of junction of 
the Quincy and Toledo and the Quincy and Chicago Railroads, 
was in 1855, a vacant prairie — now it is a flourishng town, and 
an extensive distributing point of Quincy goods and manufac- 
tures. There were shipped from this place to Quincy, during 
the last five months of 1856, the following amounts of produce: 
Wheat, 111,000 bushels, Corn, 64,000 bushels, 
Oats, 60,000 " Hogs, 4,0*73 

Green Apples 300 barrels, Hay, 604 bales, 
Hoop Poles, 200 cords, 
"With other unenuraerated articles. 



22 

During the same time, Paloma, thirteen miles from the city 
also a new place, shipped 

Wheat, 26,112 bushels, Corn, 36,873 bushels, 

Oats, 14,119 " Hops, 148 bales. 

And Tennessee, fifty miles distant, 
Wheat, 40,000 bushels, Corn, 36,8'73 bushels, 

Oats, 9,000 bushels. 

Many other places on the line of this road, have shipped in 
equal if not greater proportion, the statistics of which have not 
been obtained. These given, are accurately collected from 
reliable sources. Property along the line of this Railroad, has . 
trebled and quadrupled in value, and to say that the rise in 
real estate, has been greatly more than sufficient to pay for its 
construction, would convey but a faint impression of the facts. 

These statements are made to afford some data from which 
we may conceive of the prosperity and extent of the commerce 
of Quincy, when the several roads now projected, and under 
process of construction, are completed. Of these, the first in 
order, will be the Quincy and Toledo Railroad, v/hich extends 
from Camp Point to the Illinois River, a distance of but thirty- 
two miles, over a highly practicable route. At Meredosia it will 
connect with the Great Western Railroad, thus affording a new 
and direct communication with the East. It would be idle to 
speak of the additional importance that will accrue to the 
commerce of Quincy, upon its completion. The citizens of 
Quincy and of Brown County, through which it passes, are 
ahve to its paramount importance, and have shown by solid 
testimony/, the interest which they take in its construction. 

The City of Quincy, on the fourth day of April, last, voted a 
subscription of $200,000 to its capital stock, and Brown County 
has voted $100,000. Eastern Capitahsts have taken the matter 
in hand, the grading is far advanced, ties are being laid, the 
iron has been purchased, and the time when we may expect to 
hear the whistle of the first train from Toledo, is not far distant. 
To Oen. J. W. Singleton, the energetic President of this 



23 

Company, may be ascribed the rapid advancement of the work ; 
and Quincy owes to him a deep debt of gratitude, for the 
faithfuhiess and ability displayed in the extrication of the 
Company from the difficulties which at one time threatened to 
indefinitely delay the construction of the Eoad. 

Upon the completion of the Quincy and Toledo Eailroad, the 
construction of the Quincy and Palmyra Railroad, will be a 
matter not only of expediency^ but of necessity, and although 

> the illiberal and universe legislation of Missouri, influenced by 
the interested representations of would he rival cities, have 

/'seemed to overshadow its prospects, it would be utter absurdity 
to imagine that it will not be built. The Hannibal and St. 

' Joseph Railroad, extending from Hannibal to St. Joseph, Mis- 
souri, a distance of two hundred miles through the central 

^ portion of the State of Missouri, is now partially in operation, 
and will be completed, without doubt, within a year. It passes 
through Palmyra, a flourishing city, distant but fourteen miles 
j .from Quincy, and can any one imagine for an instant, that this 
slight hiatus will be allowed to exist between the extremities of 
two Railroads, which, conjoined, will stretch from the eastern 
boundary of Maine, to the western border of Missouri ? The 
people of the two cities most interested, Quincy and Palmyra, 
have shown that they regard this matter in its true light, by the 
subscription on the part of Quincy, of |100,000, and by Pal- 
myra, of $50,000, toward supplying this missing link in this 
great chain. Hon. Samuel Holmes, of this city, the President 

^of the Company, has concluded negotion-s with Eastern Capi- 
talists, for the additional funds, amply sufficient to insure its 
speedy completion. It is no stretch of imagination to say that 
the business of Quincy will be doubled within one year after the 

, construction of this Road. It is intended, eventually, to ex- 
tend the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad to the Pacific coast, 

' this route being the most direct and practicable yet surveyed. 
Of the successful prosecution of this work, the most sanguine 
hopes are entertained. When consummated, what language can 



24 

exaggerate the commercial future of Quincy. Situated upon I 
the Mississippi, the longest navigable river in the world, and a J 
central point upon the most extended line of Railroad on the 
globe, no words could be extravagant in speaking of her com-' . 
mercial importance. The River, from the frozen regions of 
the north, and from the orange groves of south, will bring its ^ 
tributes of merchandize, and the railway gathering the products 
of the rising and of the setting sun, will lay them as trophies at ' 
her feet. 

Already, with the great disadvantages of transporration under 
which she labors, Quincy, in many branches of manufactures, i& . 
enabled to compete successfully with Cincinnati and St. Louis, 
in the regions watered by the Missouri river. Large shipments ^ 
of Household Furniture, Wagons, Plows, Agricultural Imple- 
ments of all kinds, and other articles, are yearly made to - 
Western Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska. If this be now the 
case, what may we not expect when we have this direct and "■ 
cheap channel of transportation. The tide of emigration from^, 
the East to the Western States and Territories, long oppressed " 
by the absence of traveling facilities, will flow through our city, 
bringing an influx of population and wealth, in comparison with 
which, our past advancement is nothing. 

Another Railroad is in contemplation to extend from Quincy 
to Lagrange, Lewis County, Missouri, thence west through Knox, ^L 
Adaire, and Sullivan Counties, to Trenton, the County Seat of 
Grundy County, one hundred miles from Quincy, thence through '^> 
Davies, Harrison, Gentry, and Nodaway Counties to Linden, the 
County Seat of Atchison County, thence west to Omaha City," 
the capital of Nebraska. These are among the finest counties 
in the State of Missouri. The people of Missouri are awake to' ' 
its importance, and mass meetings have been held by the inhab- 
ants of the counties along its proposed route, in which such 
spirit was manifested, as makes it evident that it will inevitably-,:, 
be built, This will, in all probability, be the first railroad con- 
necting the Eastern Cities with the rising State of Nebraskar^N 



The County Court of Lewis County has ordered the appropria- 
tion of a sufficient sum for the preliminary survey of the route, 
and other steps have been taken preparatory to commencing 
the work. That this road will prove of great benefit, not only 
to Quincy, but to the portion of Missouri which it traverses, no 
one in possession of the facts, can doubt. This extensive and 
fertile scope of country is peculiarly in need of an^outlet for 
its produce, and the construction of the Quincy, Lagrange and 
rrenton Railroad will open to it a first class market, easily ac- 
cessible at all seasons of the year. The simple expectation of 
of its construction, has given a fresh impulse to the country, its 
population is rapidly increasing, property is rising rapidly in 
value, and every department of productive labor is receiving 
Large additions. To Quincy, on the other hand, it will open a 
[ine field for the distribution of her manufactured articles, and 
for the reception of materials. 

A fifth road has been agitated, leading from Quincy south- 
east into Green County, Illinois; but, as yet, no definite steps 
bave been taken toward its construction. 

A sixth, and apparently feasible road, has been proposed, 
leading southward — to be called the Mississippi River Bottom 
Railroad. During the past winter, a Company was organized 
for the purpose of reclaiming the swamp lands lying along the 
Mississippi River in the counties of Adams, Pike, and Calhoun. 

This Company, under their organic act, are "to construct a 
levee from a point near the town of Millville, in the county of 
Adams, along and down the bank of the MississiiDpi river into 
Calhoun County ; said levee to be constructed as near the bank 
of the said river as may be practicable, and which levee shall 
be sufficient in heighth, strength and durabiUty to effectually 
protect all lands between said levee and the bluffs on the eastern 
side thereof, from inundation or overflow by reason of high 
v/ater from the Mississippi River, its sloughs or tributaries, simi- 
tar to the great flood of ISSl." Isow, it is urged with apparent 



26 

force of reasoning, that the building of this levee in the mannei 
specified, is virtually establishing a grade suitable for a Railroad 
and that by simply laying the ties and rails upon it, a firm anc 
permanent track will be secured. The counties of Pike anci 
Calhoun having no accessible port on the Mississippi river, and 
the Illinois being almost impassible during the greater portion: 
of the year, the advantage to thevn of this connection with' 
Quincy, is apparent, while the productions of these fertile counties 
will find their natural outlet at this point. 

There can be no doubt, that most, if not all of these roads 
will be speedily constructed; and judging from the impetua^< 
giTen to every branch of business by the completion of then 
line already in operation, we may confidently expect an ad-^ 
vancement in the commercial and manufacturing prosperity of 
Quincy, seldom, if ever paralleled even in the history of the* 
rapidly growing cities of the West. 



lANUFACTURING AND MERCANTILE INTERESTS. 



In presenting the following statistics, our object is to give 
i accurate and detailed a statement as possible, of the amount 
id nature of the business of Quincy, in its various branches, 
id thus to enable the reader to test the correctness of the 
ews which we have already expressed, by reference, to actual 
^ures. It is a task of no inconsiderable difficulty to obtain coni- 
ete returns from the great number and variety of manufacturing 
id mercantile establishments which are here in operation. After 
irrying our researches as far as any reasonable amount of 
me and assiduity could enable us, we are compelled to admit 
lat the following returns are in some degree incomplete, and 
lat taken as a whole, they form an under-estimate of the actual 
iisiness of the city. Several of our most important manufac- 
)ries have gone into operation so recently that we have been 
aable to obtain from them, returns which might furnish sufficient 
ita for estimating the annual value of their products. 
For obvious reasons we have not thought proper to publish the 
nount of capital invested and business done by individual 
foas, but the aggregates which are given at the end of each 
ible, are made up from actual and reliable statements ob- 
dned from some responsible member of each establishment. 
a considerable extent we have combined large and small 
I'ms in the same table, and no inference can thus be drawn 
ora the aggregate, as to the business of individual houses. 
The returns which have formed the material for these tables, 
[•e made up for the year ending June 1st, 185Y. In some re- 
jects thev fail to show the genei-al extent of the business of 



28 

the city, partly because many new firms have commenced busi-i 
ness within that period, and partly because Quincy, in commoni' 
with other western cities, though in a less degree than niostji, 
has suffered from the prevailing pressure in the money market,^' 
and the comparative scarcity of the agricultural products whichli 
support her trade with the East and South. Notwithstandingi 
these disadvantages, we may safeh challenge any city of similar r 
population in the West to present an equally fair business .n 
statement which shall indicate a greater degree of prosperity* 
than ours. It may also be remarked that some of our enter- 
prising firms have established branch houses at Camp Point^- 
Keokuk, Lagrange, and other neighboring towns, which are to 
a considerable extent, dependent upon Quincy for their supply i 
of imported and manufactured articles. We have no returns 
from these branch houses, although their operations virtually" 
form a part of the business of our city. 
:-o-: 

MANUFACTURES. 



Steam Flour Mills. 

The Manufacture of Flour is an important item in the busi- 
ness of Quincy. The quality of the article manufacured here' 
is unsurpassed by that of any mills East or West. To the Elour 
of one of our mills, the first premiun was awarded at the great 
National Exhibition in the City of Xew York, in the fall of 
1856. This Manufacture was established early, and is now cun- 
ducted upon an extensive scale, and with a large outlay of Cap?-" 
tal and labor. 

There are in this city six Flour Mills : 



NAME. 


BUILDERS AND PRESENT OW^NERS. 


WHEN BUILT 


Castle, 


Bagby, Burns &Wood, 


1855. 


City, 


S. & W. B. Thayer, 


1846. 


Centre, 


R. P. Coats, 


1857. 


Eagle, 


Wheeler, Osborn & Co., 


1847. ■ 



29 

Star, Brown & Penfield, 1855. 

Alto, W. Homan, 1850. 

These mills employ fifty-one hands, consume annually 660,000 
bushels of wheat, and manufacture 132,000 barrels of flour, 
selling at an average price of $7,00, making a total value of 
$924,000. The capital invested is -$280,000. 
:-o-: 

Corn Meal and Feed Mills. 

There are two of these, owned by H. A. Chase and Micheal 
McYay. They consume 135,000 bushels of corn, annually. 
The manufacture of these mills is of a superior quality, and 
the business is profitable and increasing. 

Steam Saw Mills. 

The large importations of sawed lumber from the Fpper 
Mississippi, have thus far prevented the establishment of Saw 
Mills in this city on a scale corresponding with her other man- 
ufactures. The demand for building material of every descrip- 
tion, is immense; and the manufacture of lumber is destined to 
become a highly important and profitable branch of business. 
There are two Steam Saw Mills, in this city, viz : 

STYLE OF FIRM. WHEN BUILT, BY WHOM. 

J. K. Yaudoorn & Co. 1851, J. K. Vandoorn & Co. 

James Arthur & Co., 1855, J. Arthur. 

These firms employ fifty-five hands, paying $22,000 wages 
annually. The annual production is as follows: 

9,500,000 ft lumber at $25,00 per m., $237,500. 

4,000,000 lath at $4,00 per m., 16,000. 

3,000,000 shingles at $4,00 per m., 12,000. 

Total $265,500 

Capital invested, $110,000. 

There are two other Saw Mills within the immediate vicinity, 
though not within the limits of the city, engaged in the manu- 
facture of hard wood lumber. The products of these mills 



30 

are entirely consumed by the furniture and other manufac- 
tories of the city. 

They are owned by Mr. E. B. Kimball, and Mr. Andrew 
Wood, of Quincy. These mills pi'oduce about 3,000,000 feet 
annually,— worth $60,000. 

Machine Shops, 

The manufacture of Steam Engines and other machinery, is 
entensively carried on in this city. The numerous flour mills 
and saw mills which have been erected in the vicinity, during 
the past two years, have been supplied with machinery almost f 
exclusively from the Machine Shops of Quincy. Their products 
are extensively sold throughout Illinois, Missouri and Iowa. 
The quality of these manufactures compares favorably with that 
of the eastern cities, and they ai^e quite as cheaply produced. 

There are four of these establishments in the city : 

riKM. V5^HEN ESTABLISHED. BY WHOM. 

Brown, Dimock & Co., 1856, Brown, Dimock & Co. 

M. T. Greenleaf, 1851, Heberling & Grecnleaf, 

Worrell & Caldwell, 1851, Worrell & Caldwell, 

Gardner & Mitchel, 1852, A.Campbell. 

These firms employ seventy-two hands, whose yearly wages 

are 147,000. The value of their manufactures is $195,000. 
Capital invested, $87,000. 

:-o-: 

Stove Foundry. 

There is one establishment devoted to this branch of manu- 
factures in this city. It was built by A. Comstock & Co., in 
1849. It is one of the largest establishments of its kind on the 
Mississippi River, and the Stoves which it produces are exten- 
sively used throughout Illinois and the adjoining States. The 
Designs patented by this firm are rapidly taking the place of 
those of more distant manufacture. They employ sixty hands, 
whose wages amounted during the past year to -$30,232. They 
consumed 987 tons Iron, and 20,000 bushels of Coal and Coke, 



31 

and manufiictured 9,466 Stoves. Their sales amounted to 
$99,128. 

:-o-: 

Foundries. 

The Foundries of Quincy, do an extensive and profitable busi- 
ness — and the demand for their products is rapidly increasing. 
The iron fronts of the recently erected business houses on the 
public square, afford many creditable speciments of the skill 
And taste displayed by the proprietors of our Foundries. A 
large proportion of their castings are consumed by the various 
machine shops of our city — the remainder find ready sales in 
Illinois and Missouri. The following are the principal firms 
engaged in this business : 

FIRM. WHEN ESt'd. BY WHOM. 

Brown, Dimmock^& Co., 1845 K. Sartle. 

M. T. Greenleaf, 1856 M. T. Greenleaf. 

Worrell & Caldwell, 1851 Worrell & Caldwell. 

Gardner & Mitchell, 1852 A. Campbell & Co. 

These establishments employ fifty-three hands, whose wages 
are $30,000 a year. They consume 35,000 bushels Coal and 
Coke, and 1,300 tons of Iron per annum. The value of their 
annual manufactures_is^|l 27,000. Capital invested_$91,000. 
:-o-: 

Stoves and Tin-Ware. 

A large and profitable wholesale and retail business is carried 
'on in Stoves~and Tin-ware. Tin-ware is extensively manufac- 
rtured, and the business of selling and manufacturing is com- 
bined by several of the leading firms. The names of the 
principal dealers are given below : 

Comstock & Co., Scheipering & Co., 

Howland & Jones, H. C. Desbach, 

Henry Randall, John Schlag, 

Kidder &^Co., C. Jaiger & Son. 

These firms employ eY^hands, whose wages are $23,000. 
The value of their annual m.anufactures is $185,000. 



32 

Copper and Sheet Iron Works. 

There are two establishments of this kind in Quincy, carried 
on by J. Williams and Henry Randall: employing seven hands, 
and turning out about $25,000 woi-th of work annually. 
:-o-: 

rurniture. 

This branch of manufactures is extensively conducted in this 
city. The names of the four principal firms are given below : 



FIRM. 


WHEN EST D. 


BY WHOM. 


Jansen & Smith, 


1838 


F. W. Jansen. 


A. Schmidt & Son, 


1833 


A. Schmidt. 


W. S. M. Anderson, 


1855 


J. R. Warren & Co 


F. Jasper, 


1845 


F. Jasper. 



These firms employ one hundred and seventy-five hands, ' 
whose wages amount to |65,800 annually. Thevalue of their 
manufactures is $207,000. 

The machinery used in these establishments is of the most ^ 

improved construction. The material is of the best quality, 

and the furniture manufactured finds a ready and profitable 

sale in this State, Missouri, Iowa and Minnesota. A large 

capital is invested, which yields a handsome return to the enter- - 

prising firms engaged in this business. Besides the above, 

there are seven smaller Factories, whose sales amount to 

$65,000. 

:-o-: 

Wagons. -J 

There are nine large establishments in this city engaged in 
the manufacture of Wagons. The names of the proprietoi's are: . 
Timothy Rogers, H. Otten, 

John Cleveland, G. Bennetig, 

B. F. Slack, HenryKniephieder, 

J. G. Galbreath, T. Neal. 

F. Roth, 
These shops furnish employment to eighty-three hands, and 



S3 

I 
pay $41,'?o0 wages. They make annually one thousand four 

hundred and thirty-five Wagons, worth $107,625. Besides this, 

, they do a large repairing business, the amount of which is not 

' obtained. Timothy nogers has a Plow Factory connected with 

this business, and makes annually eleven hundred Plows, worth 

$8,800. These manufactories are supplied with lumber of the 

first quality, by mills in the vicinity. The work turned out by 

these establishments is celebrated for its superiority throughout 

the West, and everywhere commands the highest price. 

Wagons are shipped from this point to Missouri, Iowa, Kansas 

^and Nebraska. There are, in addition to the firms given above, 

eight shops which make each a few Wagons yearly, but whose 

principal business is repairing. They employ twenty-one hands, 

whose wages are $9,560 ; and the value of their work is 

$19,500. 

i-o-: 

Carriage Factories. 

Messrs. Hayes, Woodruff & Co., and Weaver & Miller, are 
engaged extensively in this branch of manufactures. They 
employ sixty-nine hands, and pay $29,000 wages yearly. They 
manufacture three hundred and fifty vehicles annually, worth 
$83,000. 

In these establishments are constructed Coaches, Omnibuses, 
Rockaways, Buggies, Pheatons and Sulkies, of a quality and 
finish unsurpassed in any manufactory of the kind, East or 
West. The buildings occupied by these firms are of ample di- 
* raensions, and are well supplied with machinery of the most 
recent and improved construction. 



Agricultural Implements. 

A manufactory of Agricultural Implements was established 
in 1855 by Messrs. Battell, Woodruff & Boyd. This firm em- 
ploys twenty hands, whose wages amount to $8,000. 



84 

They manufacture 1,000 plows, worth , . . . , ,$8,000 

" '^ 150 seed drills, worth. ..,.,. .12,000 

^^ " 150 corn planters, worth ..... 5,250 



12,5250 
Premiums have been awarded to this firm for the best plows, 
at several State and County exhibitions, and all the articles 
made by them are justly celebrated for their superiority, 
throughout this, and neighboring States. 

Their facilities for manufacturing have heretefore been in- 
adequate to meet the demand, and extensive additions to their 
establishment are meditated. 



Cooperag^e. 

Below is given a list of the proprietors of the principal 
establishments engaged in this branch of business :■ 
E. McFarland, Phihp Thomas,, 

W. F. Lee, F. G. Walthaus, 

J. W. Cook, G. Scobbing, 

P. Sohn, H. Bertrand, 

Louis Lamber, Herman Wilbert, 

T. Bringhall, M. Coldenbaugh. 

Yaldin Ertel, 
These firms give employment to one hundred and forty-five 
hands, whose wages yearly amount to $51,000. They manu-,< 
facture annually 98,000 flour barrels, 28,000 pork barrels, 
35,000 whisky and alcohol barrels, and a great number of 
hogsheads, half-hogsheads and tierces. Several of these firms 
employ steam-power, and use machinery of the most improved 
and efficient character. In addition to the firms above enumer- 
ated, there are several others who prosecute this business upon 
a Simaller scale. Although this branch of manufactures is^ 
extensively carried on in the city, it is inadequate to supply the 



35 

demand, and many barrels are annually imported from the 
surroimdmg country to supply the wants of our millers, pork- 
packers and distillers. 



Pumps. 

Messrs. Mellen, Sprague & Co. are extensively engaged in 
the manufacture of Endless Chain Pumps, producing an ample 
supply for home consumption, and for sale in the surrounding 
country. Mr. E. Weaver deals largely in the manufacture and 
sale of Suction Well and Cistern Pumps. 



-:-c-:- 



Brieks. 

In a rapidly gro^ying city the production of materials for 
building is an object of the first importance. Quincy has been 
peculiarly fortunate in possessing a constant supply of cheap 
and desirable brick, which has kept pace with the immense de- 
mand which has existed during the past few years. The manu- 
facturers of this article in this city deserve much credit for the 
excellent quahty of the material of which our business houses 
and public buildings are constructed. The clay, which is found 
abundantly in this vicinity, is said by experienced manufacturers 
to be imrivalled for the purposes of brick-making ; and the 
cheapness of fuel renders the production of this article much 
less expensive than elsewhere. They are generally afforded at 
the rate of $5,00 per M. While selhng thus cheaply, and 
paying liberal wages, the manufacturers find this branch of 
business highly remunerative. Subjoined is a list of the princi- 
pal firms : 

Fletcher, Pine & Co., Sander & Bernsen, 

Delemater & Gerry, WilHam Weber, 

H. Sundermann, Krump & Frazier, 

Henry Fasthoff, G. Koch. 

One of the firms engaged in this manufacture have introduced 



86 

a recently invented system of steam machinery, by which the 
rapidity of production, and the quality of the brick are very 
greatly improved. Pressed brick are made in large quantities, . 
and form an excellent and highly ornamental material for the 
fronts of business houses, dwellings, &c. The Brick-makers of 
Quincy are not surpassed by any class of our manufacturers in 
the energy and skill with which their business is prosecuted, 
and the peculiarly neat and tasteful appearance of the business 
portion of the city is, in a great measure, attributable to the 
excellent quality of their products. 

The season of brick-making for 185*7 not being ended, the ii( 
statistics of last year are given, with an estimate of this year's 
work. 

The number of woi'kmen employed during the summer of 
1856, was 119, whose wages amounted to $26,804, and the 
amount made was 25,500,000 brick. The quantity this season 
will exceed that of the last, about twenty-five per cent, so that 
we may set down the number as 31,875,000 which at $5,00 per^, 
m, amount to the value of $159,310. 



-:-c- 



Lime. 

There are three firms engaged in the manufacture of lime, 
viz : 

Swift & Young, Zimmermann & Zepp. 

A. Carroll, 

They employ fifteen hands, producing 140,000 bushels of ■ 
Lime, worth at present rates $42,000. One of these firms has 
in operation "Page's Perpetual Draw Lime Kiln," the capacity 
of which is three hundred bushels per day. The lime-stone 
which is found in the vicinity is of the first quality, and the 
article produced is unexcelled. The price which it commands 
at this point is unusually high, owing to the extensive demand 
for building purposes. 



y. 



81 



Marble Works. 

There are two establishments of this kind in the city, conduct- 

ed by A. G. Anderson and John Hutton. They employ 

jf*j fourteen hands, and the annual value of their manufactures is 

$27,000. They cut all kinds of Monuments, Furniture, 

Marble, &c. 



:-o-: 



Wooden Works. 

Messrs. Potter & Hawke are engaged in this branch of 
manufactures. A great deal of ingenuity has been manifested 
in the construction and arrangement of the machinery used by 
this firm. Their steam engine is a beautiful specimen of 
J mechanical skill. They manufactured during the last year 
^ •eight hundred dozen Half-bushel Measiires, and are now pro- 
ducing weekly twenty-five dozen Split-bottom Chairs, with a 
large quantity of Wash-boards, Broom-handles, &c. They 
employ ten hands, and the annual value of their manufacturer 
i3 |lo,000. 



■:-o-:- 



^ 



Boilers. 

There are two firms engaged in the manufacture of Boilers, 
viz: 

FIRM. WHEN ESTABLISHED. 

Scharden & Knapp, 1856. 

H. Stagmiller, 1857. 

They employ sixteen hands, whose wages are $7,250. The 
value of their annual manufactures is $47,000. The work 
produced is of the first quality, and large additions to these 
establishments are contemplated. 



:-o-: 



Planing Mills. 

The following is a list of the principal firms engaged in this 
branch of business in Quincy : 



38 



H, Allen & Co., Mellen, Sprague & Co., 

Gould & Allen, Thomas Benneson, 

Houghton & Wooters, C. H. Howland & Co. 

These firms produce annually about 5,000,000 feet of Dressed 
Lumber. They employ sixty-three hands, and pay $30,'700 
wages yearly, in this business, and in the manufacture of Sash, 
Blinds, Doors and Frames, which is also extensively carried ori^ 
by most of those above enumerated. The amount of the 
annual manufactures of these establishments, apart from the 
value of the raw material, is 1 126,000. 



:-o-: 



Grain Bistilleries. 

There are four Grain Distilleries now in operation in the city:* 
firm:. when est'd. by whom. 

S. & W. B. Thayer, 1849 S. & W. B. Thayer. 

JohnSchell, Jr., & Co., 1856 John Schell, Jr., & Co. 

Thomas Jasper, 1845 W. L. King. 

James King, 1855 J. King. 

These firms employ ninety -two hands, whose wages amount 
yearly to $34,240. 

They consume — Small Grain, ...... .124,200 bushels. 

Corn, 481,800 bushels. 

They manufacture annually 45,500 barrels of High Wines, worth 
leSYjOOO. They feed 9,300 Hogs, and 3,000 head of Cattle. 
The capital invested in this business is $355,000. 






Alcohol Distilleries. a 

There are tvv^o Distilleries of this article in operation : 

FIRM. WHEN ESt'd. BY WHOM. 

S. & W. B. Thayer, 1855. S. & W. B. Thayer. 

John Schell, Jr., & Co., 1856. J. Schell, Jr., & Co. 

These establishments employ six men, and manufacture^ 



f 39 

annually five thousand baiTels of Alcohol, of the value of 

$105,000. The capital invested in these Distilleries is $43,000. 

(,, The greater portion of the products of these establishments is 

J shipped to Southern and Eastern markets, where its superior 

quality always commands the highest price. 

Breweries. 

Quincy is celebrated for the quality of the Beer manufac- 
;;»tured at her Breweries. There are five of these within the 

city limits. The following are the names of the proprietors.: 
i r. Karapman, A. Delabar, 

_^ G. Theiss, M. Schultheise. 

' ^ C Rouff, 

These Breweries consume 16,000 bushels Barley, and 15,000 

pounds Hops, and manufacture 17,500 kegs of Beer, of the 

value of $35,000. There are several other of these in operation 
i near Quincy, but outside the city limits. 



-:-o- 



Soda "Water. 

There are three manufactories of this article in the city, viz: 
Lampe & Boschulter, Wm. Keiser. 

Grone & Dierholt, 
They employ eighteen hands, and manufacture annually 
^ 100,000 dozen bottles, worth $35,000. Much of this is shipped 
to neighboring towns. 

:-o-: 



Vinegar Maniifaetory, 

There is one of these establishments in operation, carried 
on by Joseph Wolf. He makes 650 barrels Yinegar, worth 

$3,575. 



40 

Hope Walk. 

There is one Rope-walk in operation in Quincy, owned by H. , 
C. Prentiss & Co. They employ 10 hands, whose wages are ' 
|4,600 yearly. They manufacture Rope, Cord, Twine, Packing ; 
Yarn, &c., to the value of $26,000 annually. The enterprising ! 
proprietors of this establishment meditate an enlargement o£ \ 
their business during the ensuing year, as the superior quality ' 
of the article which they produce has created a demand which, 
with- their present facilities, they are unable to supply. 



-:-c-:- 



Printing. 

There are published daily and weekly the following papers^ ) 
Quincy Herald, Wm. M. Avise & Co., Publishers. 

Quincy Whig, John T. Morton, Publisher. 

Quincy Republican, H. Y. Sullivan & Co., Pubhshers. 
There are, besides these, two German weekly papers, viz : ' 
The Quincy Tribune, E. C. Winters, Publisher. 

The Quincy Courier, George Lintz, Publisher. 

These papers are well supported, and have an extensive 
circulation. The Book and Job Printing business is carried on i 
at these offices upon a large scale, and their work is execute^Jj 
in a neat and elegant style. 

There is one establishment owned by Messrs. Geiger & Co., , 
devoted exclusively to Book and Job Printing. 



:-o-:- 



Soap and Candles, /;< 

There are two firms engaged in the manufacture of Soap ana'^ 
Candles : 

FIRM. WHEN ESt'd. BY WHOM. 

Bishop & By water, 1850 G. By water. 

H. Rupp, 1853 H. Rupp. 



41 

Book Binderies. 

There are three of these in the city, viz 

FIRM. WHEN ESt'd. 

Walter Reynolds, 1840, 

Gardner and White, 1856, 

, F. G. Fisher, 1857, 

These firms employ eight hands 
work is $8,500. They are in possession of the latest improve- 
ments for Ruling, Ornamental Work, &c., and the style of their 
work is excellent. 



BY WHOM. 

Karnes & Woods. 
Gardner & White. 
F. G. Fisher. 
The value of their annual 



Saddle and Harness Makers. 



FIRM. 

Bernard & Lockwood, 
B. Koch &, Son, 
Kull & Duker, 
M. Ohnemus, 
J. M. Bradford, 



BY WHOM. 

Bernard & Lockwood. 
B. Koch. 
Kull & Duker. 
M. Ohnemus. 
Bradford & Cofflin. 



There are five firms engaged in the manufacture of these 
articles, viz : 

WHEN est'd. 

1847, 

1840, 

1855, 

1851, 

1855, 

These firms employ forty-one hands, whose wages amount to 
114,700. The value of their manufactures is $84,000. The 
quality of the work turned out by these firms is not excelled in 
durability, or style of finish, by that of any manufactured East 
or West. Their products meet with a ready and extensive sale, 
and their business is rapidly increasing. Some of the buildings 
appropriated to this branch of business have been recently 
enlarged, and their facilities for manufacturing greatly increased. 

— :-o-:^ 



*l 



Confectionery. 

"' The following is a list of the manufacturers of this article in 
the city : 





42 



FIRM, 

A. C. Lomileno, 
Wm. Brown, 

J. Fisher, 
J. C. Palmer, 
Wm. Harris, 
J. Q. A. Connor, 

B. 0. Mikesell, 



WHEN EST D. 
1849, 

1849, 

1850, 

1842, 

1853, 

1855, 

1856, 

The number of hands employed by these firms is thirty. 

Amount of manufactures, $98,000. Several of these carry on, 

in connection with this business, the manufacture of Crackers. 

There are several other smaller establishments, whose sales 

amount to about $30,000. 



BY WHOM. 

A. C. lornileno. 
W. Brown. 

J. Fisher. 
0. Kendall. 
Wm. Harris. 
Bowers & Munroe. 

B. 0. Mikesell. 



A 



% 



\-Q-l- 



Gas Works. 

In the fall of 1854 Gas Works were erected in this city, and 
have since been in successful operation. We have been subject- 
ed to but little of the annoyance usually attending the intro- 
duction of Gas, ariijing from a bad article, or an inadequate 
supply ; generally the supply has been abundant, and the quality 
superior. It has been introduced into our public buildings, "^z 
churches, stores, and many private residences. It was first 
lighted in December, 1854. At that time there were sixty-five 
Street Lamps, one hundred and fifty Meters, and three and a 
half miles of Street Main laid. There are now laid seven miles 
of Street Main; the number of Street Lamps is two hundred 
and forty, and there are two hundred and eighty Meters. — 
During the year ending June 1st, 1857, there were consumed n 
in the manufacture of Gas — 

Pittsburgh Coal 15,107 bushels. 

Illinois Coal 6,014 bushels. 



Total 20,121 bushels. 



43 

«* 

The amount of Gas produced was 4,982,'7'73 feet, which, at 
thirty-five cents per hundred, amounts to $17,439 70. 

These Works are carried on by the " Quincy Gas Company," 
a chartered association, whose capital stock is $80,000. The 
officers of this Company are as follows: 
* K, S. Benneson, President. Edward Everett, Secretary. 

(y, DIRECT ORS: 

L. Bull, James M. Pitman, 

J. D. Morgan, N. Flagg, 

J. W. Singleton, Thomas Pratt. 

Alfred Carr, 

"W. H. Corley, Superintendent. 



MERCANTILE INTERESTS. 



Dry Goods. 

Though many of the Dry Goods houses in the city are 
extensively engaged in the wholesale trade, yet there is a retail 
'department connected with each of them. 

, These houses furnish a supply of domestic and imported 

goods to a large extent of countrv. Country merchants, to 

whom this market is accessible, finding that our dealers are 

T able and willing to duplicate the bills of Chicago and St. Louis, 

j prefer to make their purchases here, rather than at more dis- 

^ jtant points. The well-known responsibility of our leading 

L>ifirms enables them to purchase in the Atlantic cities on the 

h^^inost favorable terms. The following is a list of the principal 

dealers : 

^ FIRM. WHEN EST'd. BY WHOM. 

\%enry Root, 1840, Root & Fisher. 

Sawyer, Graves & Co., 1849, Sawyer & Adams. 

1'Ladd, Wheeler & Co., 1850, C. Ladd & Co. 



44 



FIRM. WHEN EST D. 

Brown, Dimmock & Co., 1834, 



S. M. Culver & Co., 
W. S. M. Anderson, 
A. Inuess, 
James Fisher, 
K T. Lane, 
Wheeler & Cooper, 
S. J. Lesem, 



BT WHOM. 

Brown & Dimmock. 
S. M. Culver & Co. 
Thomas Pope. 
A. Inness. 
J. Fisher. 
KT.'Lane. 
Wheeler k Cooper. 
S, J. Lesem. 



1857, 

1843, 

1856, 

1846, 

1852, 

1857, 

1854, 

These firms employ thirty-nine assistants, and do an annual 
business to the amount of $610,000. In addition to these, there 
are ten or twelve establishments of an exclusively retail char- 
acter, whose sales amount to $125,000. A stranger visiting' 
the city is agreeably impressed with the taste and magnificence^ 
displayed in the construction and fitting up of many of our 
Drv Goods houses. 



J 



^4 



:-o-: 



Hardware. 

There are four firms in the city engaged in the Hardware 
business. Their stocks are extensive, and well selected. They 
wholesale largely to country merchants, and also do a large 
retail trade : 

BY WHOM. 

Bertschinger & Steinwedell. 



ff 



L. & C. H. Bull. 
Snow & Wiltberger. 
J. S. Van Buren. 



FIRM. WHEN EST D. 

Bertschinger & Steinwedell 1852, 
L. & C. H. Bull, 1845, 

Snow & Wiltberger, 1856, 

J. S. Yan Buren, 1856, 

These firms employ thirteen assistants, and sell annually to 
the amount of .|280,000. They import extensively, although 
the bulk of their stock is of American manufacture. They are 
enabled to sell at as low rates as arc afforded in any of the 
Western cities. 

Among these firms are enumerated some of the most enter- 



jj? 

t 

I 



45 

11 prising business men of Quincy, and no efforts are spared by 
-, them to keep in store complete assortments, and to meet custo- 
mers on as favorable terms as are extended elsewhere. They 
j are largely engaged in the sale of agricultural implements, and 
are agents for the various Reapers, Mowers, &c., which are 
**now coming into extensive use throughout the Western 
^country. 



■0-:- 



Iron. 

There are three firms engaged in the Iron trade, viz : 

FIRM. WHEN ESt'd. BY AVHOM. 

f\\ Thayer & Co., 1855, Thayer & Co. 

*=A. V. Humphrey & Co., 1855, A. V. Humphrey & Co. 

S. & E. Jonas, 1844, S. & E. Jonas. 

i^. These firms employ eleven hands, and sell annually, -$145,000 
worth of Iron and heavy Hardware. Owing to our facilities for 
transportation, and consequent cheapness of freight, large 
supphes of this article can be advantageously procured and 
profitably disposed of, at comparatively low rates. The stocks 
kept on hand by these establishrnents, are large and comprise 

**'|r the most excellent varieties of foreign and domestic manufac- 

Iv'T ture. 



Leather. 

There are two firms engaged in the sale of leather : 

EIRM. WHEX ESt'd. BY WHOM. 

Bernard & Lockwood, 1847, Bernard & Lockwood. 

Charles Selmer, 1857, C. Selmer. 

These firms employ seven hands, and sell annually to the 
amount of |35,000. Messrs. Bernard & Lockwood, in connec- 
tion with their leather trade, sell $5,000 worth of Saddlery 
Hardware, and $15,000 worth of hides. 



46 

Forwarding and Commission Houses. 

STYLE OF FIRM. WHKN ESt'd. BY WHOM. 

B. M. Prentiss & Co., 1854, Coats, Hedges & Co. 

S. C. Thompson & Co., 1856, S. C. Thompson. 

J. Hedges & Co., 1856, J. Hedges & Co. 

A. C. Lightfoot & Co., 1855, A. C. Lightfoot & Co. 

J. B. Bennett, 1853, J. B. Bennett. 

J. H. Smith & Co., 1856, J. H. Smith & Co. 

Thaver & Co., 1855, Thayer & Co. 

These firms employ thirty-three hands. They received du- 
ring the six months ending July 1st, 1857 : 

Wheat 259,5*74 bushels. 

Corn 268,321 bushels. 

Oats 88,456 bushels. 

Rye and Barley 6,312 bushels. 

Ship-stuff 31,642 pounds. 

Packages 16,443 

Their shipments during the same period were as follows: 

Wheat 118,872 bushels. 

Corn , 145,942 bushels. 

Oats 60,292 bushels. 

Flour 37,850 barrels. 

Packages 14,187 

Wholesale Groceries. 

There are three Wholesale Groceries in Quincy. The fol- 
lowing are the names of the proprietors : 

STYLE OF FIRM. WHEN ESt'd. BY WHOM. 

A. & L. Buddee, 1855, A. & L. Buddee. 

J. T. Baker, 1849, Allen & Baker. 

A. V. Humphrey & Co., 1855, A. V. Humphrey & Co. 

These firms employ thirteen hands. Annual sales, $321,000. 
These enterprising firms have in a very short time, from 








47 




comparatively small 


beginnings, succeeded in establishing an 


'^ extensive and profitable 


Dusiness, which is now rapidly increas- 


ing. 








. u . ■ 1 

Wholesale and Retail Groceries. 


In addition to the exclusively wholesale firms above mentioned, 


there are several establishments in 


which the wholesale and 1 


' retail trade are combined 


We enumerate the principal ones : 


STYLE OF FIRM. 




WHEN ESt'd. 


BY WHOM. 


Weaver & Berry, 




1856, 


E. Weaver. 


^Church &Fell, 




1845, 


C. B. Church. 


'm. W. Smith & Son, 




1851, 


M. W. Smith & Son. 


'J. B. Merssman, 




1846, 


J. B. Merssman. 


F. Werner, 




1853, 


F. Werner. 


i A. Goodpasture, 




1854, 


A. Goodpasture. 


Palmer & Son, 




1857, 


Palmer & Son. 


Edward Weisenberg, 




1846, 


McLean & Wiesenberg. 


L. L. Ward, 




1845, 


Ward dc Goodpasture. 


These establishments 


employ twenty-three hands, and sell 


^annually |184,500. 


There are some 


twenty smaller establish- 


ments besides the above, 


whose sales i 


nthe aggregate, probably 


^amount to as much more 






t- 


Variety Stores. 


FIRM. 


WHEN ESt'd. 


BY WHOM. 


A. Konantz, 




1845, 


A. Konantz. 


1 Leopold Arntzen, 




1850, 


Kicker & Anrtzen. 


J 

VKathman & Kramer. 

i A. J. Lubbe, 




1850, 


Kathman & Kramer. 




1851, 


A. J. Lubbe. 


Lf. Bembrock, 




1852, 


F. Bembrock. 


John Borbeck, 




1854, 


J. Borbeck. 


, .'ohn Kinkle, 




1855, 


John Kinkle. 


George Schultheise, 




1848, 


G. Schultheise. 



48 '■■■ 

These establishments employ twenty-four hands, and sell 

annually to the amount of $279,000. The names of only the 

principal dealers are given above. In addition to these there 

are nearly a hundred smaller houses, whose stocks are of a mis- 

i cellaneous character, whose annual sales amount to a verv consid--:. 
I 
erablc sum, some of them doing quite an extensive business. 



Rectifiers and Liquor Dealers. 

There are in the city the following Eectifiei'S and Liquor 
Dealers : 

FIRM. WHEN ESt'd, BY WHOM. 

A. & L. Buddee, 185.5, A. & L. Buddee. H 

J. & P. Schell, 1856, J. ct P. Schell. j 

Sam'l Ramsay, 1849, T. Jasper. 

Jacob Keis, 1853, M. Keis. 

John Rentz, 185*7, John Rentz. 

These firms employ twenty-one hands, whose Avages are 
$6,900. They sell annually $205,120 worth of Liquors. 
:_0_: 

Lumber. ^ 

The following are the principal dealers in Lumber, Shingles, 
Lath, &c. : 

Bennescn k Co., J. M. Pitman, 

Howland & Wood, Amos Green, y 

H. Allen ct Co., John Mikesell. 

Winnekar d: Co., 
These firms imported during the past year 16,750,000 feet of ^ 
Pine Lumber, 7,870,000 Shingles, and 2,320,000 Lath. 

Clothing Stores. ^ 

There are a considerable number of Clothing Stores in the 
city. We give below the names of the principle firms engaged 
in this branch of business : 



* ^— — 






_, w^ 




" 




49 




'1' 

(' STYLE OF FIRM. 


WHEN EST'd. 


BY WHOM. 


' '* Powers & Finlay 


1847, 


W. B. Powers. 


M. Jacobs, 


1851, 


M. J;icobs. 


' I). Hermann, 


1852, 


D. Hermann. 


^ ^amuel & Bro., 
S. J. Lesem, 


1856, 
1854, 


Samuel & Bro. 
S. J. Lesem. 


' < These firms employ fifty-three hands 


in the manufacture and 


sale of clothing. 


The larger portion of their stock is purchased 


• >in the Eastern cities. Their annual sales amnont to , 


$186,000. 

1' 






k ' 


Merchant Tailors. 


l' The following 


is a list of the principal Merchant Tailors : 


Is STYLE OF FIRM. 

p J. A. Parker, 


WHEN est'd. 


BY "WPIOM. 1 


1854, 


J. A. Parker. 


J. P. Bert, Jr., 


1847, 


J. P. Bert, Sr. 


' S.L.Poole, 


1851, 


S. L. Poole. 


A. Dunlavy, 


1857, 


A. Dunlavy. 


H. Waffman, 


1856, 


H. Waffman. 


/> These firms employ sixty-three hands, and the value of the 


work done annually in their establishments is $181,000. .Besides 


{ this their sales of furnishing goods are extensive. A large 


number of smaller establishments are n 


ot enumerated. 


f 




1 




Books and Stationery. 


i There are five 


firms engaged in the 


sale of Books and" Sta- i 

1 


p tionery, viz : 




i 
1 


r FIRM. 


WHEN est'd. 


BY WHOM. 


/^ J. R. Dayton, 


1840, 


N. Plagg. 


G. A. Miller, 


,1839, 


G. A. Miller. 


George W, Winans, 1853, 

1 


G. W. Winans. 



50 



FIRM. WHEN EST D. BY WHOM. 

Tobin & Smith, 1857, Tobin & Smith. 

Charles Schmidt, 1856, C.Schmidt. 

They employ eleven assistants, and sell annually to the 
amount of |96,000. One of these houses is just established,, 
and has no statistics, but whosfe sales will probably increase 
the amount to $135,000. These firms are constantly in receipt^ 
of the latest publications, and spare no pains in keeping up the 
extent and variety of their stocks. 



-:-o-:- 



Drug Business. 

The following firms are engaged in the wholesale and retail, 
trade in Drugs and Medicines in the city : 

FIRM. WHEN ESt'd. 

H. H. Hoffman, 1850, 

Rogers & Co., 1845, 

F. Flachs & Co., 1845, 

Geo. A. Miller, 1839, 

C. H. Morton, 1845, 

A. Stutte, 1853, 

These- houses employ twenty-one assistants, and their sales 
amount to $158,000. 



BY WH0M. 

Hoffman & Bro. 
S. B. Hoffman. 

F. Flachs. 

G. A. Miller. 
Dr. Do way. 
Stutte & Arntzen. 



-:-o-: 



Boots and Shoes. 

There are four firms engaged in the sale of Boots and Shoes 
at wholesale and retail, viz : 



FIRM. 


WHEN EST D. 


BY WHOM. 


E. K. Stone & Co., 


1840, 


E. K. Stone. 


C. 0. Godfrey, 


1850, 


E. W. Godfrev. 


C. Brown, Jr., 


1851, 


J. M. Caffrey. 


A. Maxwell. 


1857, ■ 


A. Maxwell. 



::: ilE=rr::=z::: r . = = 

^^ 51 

They employ eleven assistants, and their sales amount to 
$182,000. These firms purchase directly from the manufactur- 
i ers, most of their goods being made to order. Their stocks 
I are at all times complete, and they are prepared to sell atwhole- 
i ^ale upon as favorable terms as are to be had in any other 
j Western market. There are also over 20,000 pairs Boots and 
^Shoes manufactured here, worth $50,000. 



ri-i> :-.o- 



Auction Houses. 

,. There are two houses engaged in this line of business, carried 
on by T. H. Brougham and Charles B. Cook. From the nature of 
their business it is impossible to arrive at very accurate returns 
of their sales of merchandise, but they amount to about 

■$15,000. 



-0-: 



Watches and Jewelry. 

>> An extensive trade is carried on in Quincy in these articles. 
The names of the principal dealers are given below : 

FIRM. WHEN ESt'd. BY WHOM. 

E. W. Parsons, 1853, Archer & Parsons. 

1^/ J. W. Brown, 1855, J.W.Brown. 

^F. Waldin, 1852, F. Waldin. 

fl T. J. Harris, 1857, T. J. Harris. 

^A Tobin & Smith, 1857, Tobin & Smith. 

'11 The two firms last enumerated have but just commenced 

ill' business, and consequently we have no statistics from them. 

{I The three former employ twelve assistants, and sell annually 
4 $81,000 worth of Watches and Jewelry. There are several 

11 other establishments, which are principally engaged in Repair- 



niff. 



■i!J 



China, Glass and Uueensware. 

There is one establishment engaged in this business in the 
city, conducted by Alfred Gatchell, which was established in 
1854 by Wm, H. Gage. In point ot variety and extent this ^ 
stock is not excelled by that of any similar house in the State.'; 
The business of this house is large, and its increase during thev. 
past year has been so great that its present facilities of store 
room, &c., have been found insufficient, and the proprietor will 
in a few weeks remove his stock into one of the finest store- 
rooms in the city. He is prepared to meet country dealers upon 
terms quite as favorable as are offered in St. Louis or Chicago, 
being a direct importer from the English manufacturers. 



-:-c-:- 



Tobacco and Cigars. 

The following are the principal firms engaged in this business: 

FIRM. WHEN ESt'd. . BY WHOM. 

F. Hanke, 1855, E. Hanke. 

H. Hellhake, 1853, H. Hellbake. 

C. C. Klene, 1849, C. C. Klene. ■ 

F. Cook, 1864, F. Cook. 

They employ seventeen hands, and their sales amount to ' 
$66,000. There are several smaller houses, whose sales are 

about $35,000. i 

Hats and Caps. 

The following houses are engaged in this business, viz : ^, 

FIRM. WHEN ESt'd. BY WHOM. 

Laage & Barnum, 1841, G. J. Laage. 

J. Brokschmidt, 1854, J. Brokschmidt. 

These firms employ in their business fifteen hands, whose 
wages amount to $6,400. Annual sales $69,000. Messrs. 



'i:'^ 



53 



Laage & Barnuni occupy one of the finest business houses in 
j the city. Their store-room is fitted up in very elegant style, 
and the upper part of the building is devoted to the manufac- 
ture of articles in their line. The Hats and Caps produced at 
this establishment are unexcelled in point of quaUty or style by 
those of any manufactory East or ^Yest. The annual value of 
their manufactures alone is $25,000. The enterprisie and skill 
displayed by these gentlemen in the conduct of their business, 
i have gained for them a high reputation, and an extensive and 
rapidly increasing trade. 



:-o-:- 



I L. Millinery and Bonnet Stores. 

' '" The following is a list of the proprietors of these establish- 

L ments in the city : 

Mrs. S. A. M. Blackford, Mrs. Karnes, 

Mrs. E. McLean, Mis. B, Fisher, 

Mrs. Miller, Mrs. Parsons. 

Mrs. Crawford, 

Their sales amount to $91,000 annually. 



( h 



*A 



Ice. 

There are three firms engaged in the Ice business, viz : 
P. W. Lane, D. Hauser. 

A. C. Lomileno, 

They put up during the last winter 3,350 tons of Ice, worth 
$10 per ton, amounting to a total value of $33,500. 

:-o-: 



Pork Packers. 

• Pork Packing is a very important item in the business of 
Quincy. The county of Adams, and the adjoining counties 



54 

which find a market at this point, are not excelled throughout 
the West as a Pork-producing district. The following firms 
were engaged in this business during the winter of 1856 and '5*7: 



FIRM. 


NUMBER HOGS PACKED. 


POUNDS. 


J. E. Norwood 


9,025 


2,203,765 


C. M. Pomroy & Co., 


9,12'7 


2,223,269 


J. Seaman, 


4,760 


1,109,080 


E. Wells, 


8,312 


1,806,655 


G. & J. Adams, 


4,534 


1,023,922 


Parshley & Smith, 


2,548 


619,801 



Amounting to 38,306 hogs, weighing 8,986,492 

Making the average weight 235 pounds. Besides these, there 
were sold to Provision Stores, &c., some 2500 Hogs, which, at 
the above average, amount to 687,500 pounds, making the total 
number of Hogs sold in this market 40,806, giving a total - 
weight of 9,773,992 pounds, which, at |5,30 per hundred, the 
average price paid during the season, amounts to $512,721 57. 
Owing to the general scarcity of hogs throughout the country 
during the year 1856, these statistics can hardly be considered 
as fairly representing the ordinary amount of the Pork trade at 
this point : 



■:-o-:- 



Beef Packing. 

The greater proportion of the Cattle fattened here, and in 
this vicinity, are not slaughtered at this point, but are driven to 
Southern and Eastern markets ; and although a large amount 
of capital is invested in the Cattle trade, the quantity of Beef f 
packed has not heretofore been large. There were killed and 
packed in 1856, by Messrs. J. E. Norwood and C. M. Pomroy & 
Co., 2,300 Beef Cattle, netting 4,930 barrels. There are 
slaughtered for home consumption about 3,000 head annually. 



55 



There is a prospect of a large increase in the Beef trade at this 
point, and the amount purchased during the coming winter will 
probably quadruple that of any preceding year. 



:-0- 



Financial Institutions. 

There is in this city one Bank of Issue, viz : " The Bank of 
Quincy." John McGinnis, Jr., Pres't., Maitland Boone Cashier. 
This Bank was established April, 1856, under the general Bank- 
ing Law of this State. Capital stock, $65,000. The published 
statement of this institution shows its affairs to be in a flour- 
ishing condition. 

QUINCY SAVINGS AND INSURAnCE COMPANY,' 

This institution was organized May 1st, 185Y, under an act of 
the Legislature, approved February 15th, 1855. Capital 
$320,000. Authorized capital, $500,000. 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS : 

Elijah Gove, John Wood, 

Hiram Rogers, Robert S. Benneson. 

Caleb M. Pomroy, 

officers: 
Elijah Gove, President, A, C. Marsh, Secretary, 

C. B. Clarke, Cashier. 
This Corporation is empowered by their Charter to make all 
kinds of fire and marine insurance, and to perform the duties 
and functions of a Bank of Deposit. 

There are in this city, also, the following private Bankers : 

FIRM. WHEN ESt'd. BY V^HOM. 

Flagg & Savage, Oct., 1850, Flagg& Savagp. 

Moore, Hollowbush & Co., Nov., 1850, Moore, Hollowbush & Co. 

Bull, Bushnell & Co., June, 1857, Bull, Bushnell & Co. 



^ 



56 

Livery StaMes. 

FIRM. LOCATION. 

ClifForcl, Lombard & Co., Main, between 3d and 4tli streets. 
J. B. Bennett, Main, between od and 4th streets. 

J. T. & J. W. Bradford, Fourth, bet. Main and Jersey sts. j 

These stables are well stocked with excellent Horses and 
Carriages of all descriptions. The Carriages and Harnesses in " 
use at these establishments are generally of Quincy manufac- 
ture, and many of them are exceedingly tasteful and elegant < 
in design and mechanism. The charges for liyery hire are 
lower than at most other points. 

There are two Omnibus Lines in attendance at all arrivals 
and departures of Boats and Cars, to convey passengers to or 
from all parts of the city. The Omnibuses are of elegant and < 
costly construction. There is a heavy capital invested in this 
business, from which a handsome return is realized. 



-:-o- 



Hotels. 

Quincy is celebrated for the excellence and cheapness of the 
accommodation which it offers to the traveling public. Our 
first class Hotels are acknowledged to be decidedly superior to 
those of any other city on the Mississippi river north of St. 
Louis, in every particular which the traveler regards as essen- 
tial to his comfort. The buildings are large and handsome, the 
rooms airy and commodious, and elegantly furnished. The 
gentlemanly proprietors of these houses have rendered them- 
selves deservedly popular with their numerous guests, by their 
courteous and successful endeavors to make their sojourn in the 
city pleasant and agreeable. We give the four piincipal 
Hotels : 

Quincy House, Corner Main and Fourth streets, Floyd & Bro. 

Cather House, Hampshire, between oth and 6th sts., Z. Cathcr. 

Hess House, Hampshire, between 6th and 7th sts., H. Hess. 

Virginia Hotel, corner Hampshire and 3d sts., F. B. Walker. 



^' 



51 

» There are, besides these, some twelve or fifteen smaller 
houses, and numerous boarding houses. Two of our larger 
Hotels have been built since the completion of the " Quincy 
and Chicago Railroad," and another large one is in process of 

« erection at the corner of Broadway and Front streets. 

^ .— ; 

Real Estate Dealers. 

"^ There are the following Real Estate Dealers in this city, viz : 
Ilinchman & Loomis, Gilpin & Rowland, 

Kingman & Tillson, Moore, Morton & Co., 

Green & Kirkbride, C. A. & A. E. Savage, 

M. B, Denman, Edward Prince, 

?' J. P. Erskine, Dills & Wentworth. 

We are unable, from the nature of their business, to give the 
■i> actual figures of their transactions, but the capital invested is 
large, -and their business extensive. 



Religious Denominations. 

The various Religious Societies are numerously represented 
in Quincy. There is probably no other city in the West in 
which so large a proportion of the population are church 
members, or regular attendants upon places of worship. This 
fact speaks well for the moral character of the city, and cannot 
but favorably impress those seeking a location in the West, with 
the advantages of Quincy as a place of residence. Afiixed is a 
list of the Churches : 

St. John's Episcopal Church, Rev. Wm. Rudder, Pastor. 
I First Congregational Church, Rev. S. H. Emery, Pastor. 

Centre Congregational Church, Rev. Horatio Foote, Pastor. 

First Presbyterian Church, Rev. George I. King, Pastor. 

Westminster Presbyterian Church, Rev. Wm. McCandUsli, 



i 



r 



fi'W Pastor, 



8 



58 

First Baptist Church, Rev, L. M. Whitman, Pastor. 

Vermont street Baptist Church, Rev. Joseph R. Manton, 
Pastor. ' 

Vermont street Methodist Episcopal Church, Rev. R.i 
Andrus, Pastor. . 

Fifth street Methodist Fipiscopal Church, Rev. A. C. Vander- 
water, Pastor. 

Protestant Methodist Church, Rev. Joseph P. Johnson, Pastor. . 

Unitarian Church, Rev. L. Billings, Pastor. 

Universalist Church. 

Christian Church. 

St. James' German Lutheran Reformed Church, Rev. A. 
Schmieding, Pastor. 

St. John's German Lutheran Reformed Church, Rev. Chris-^* 
tian Popp, Pastor. 

Salem German Lutheran Reformed Church, Rev. Simon»i 
Lieser, Pastor. 

First German Methodist Episcopal Church, Rev. John L. , 
Walther, Pastor. 

German Baptist Church, Rev. Wm. Gladfelt, Pastor. 

There are belonging to these churches 2,968 members. )\ 

There is one German Catholic Church, Rev. Joseph Kuenster, ,' 
Pastor, and one Irish Catholic Chux-ch, Rev. Joseph r)empsey,f^,f| 
Pastor. These have a very large attendance. 



:-o-:- 



List of Officers of the City of Quincy, 1857. 

Sylvester Thayer, Mayor. A. W. Blakesley, City Clerk. 
I. 0. Woodruff, City Treas. J. M. Barry, City Marshal. 
al.de RM en: 

First Ward — Thomas Jasper, H. S. Osborh. 
Second Ward — J. B. Brown, J. B. Merssman. 
Third Ward — R. S. Benneson, Michael McVey. 



59 



I Fourth Ward — B. F. Berrian, Andrew Keller. 
i \ Fifth Ward — J. B. Hicks, A. J. Lubbe. 

Sixth Ward — S. M. Bartlett, John Schell, Jr. 



f 



-Value of Taxable Property Annually, from 1835 

to 1857. 



ASSESSED VALUE. ESTIMATED VALUE. 

... 64,878 168,878 

... 487,900 887,900 

... 545,050 954,150 

... 605,320 1,063,820 



YEAR. 

1835 

1836 

1837 

1838 

1839 658,443 .....: 1,135,443 

1840 1 ,009,126 1,284,136 

1841 887,868 1,573,863 

1842 998,279 1,634,279 

1843 864,209 1,763,209 

1844 983,890.... 1,843,390 

1845 900,120 1,862,120 

1846 1,059,288 1,943,288 

1847 985,099 .1,987,098 

1848 1,269,498 2,169,498 

1S49 1,322.328. 2,874,-338 

1850 1,556,.342 2,988,342 

1851 1,789,399 3,208,399 

•1852 1,574,134 3,746,183 

1853 1,811,965 4,104,965 

1854 1,886,778 4,627,778 

1855 3,149,797 6,895,797 

1856 4,033,976 9,185,976 

1857 5,042,951 12,346,957 



60 j 

City Debt, July 1st, 1857. I 

Improvement Bonds $184,042 21;l! 

Railroad Bends 500,000 OOiO' 

Total $684,042 2111 



City Resources. 

Revenue for 1857 90,000 00 

/Stocks owned &y City — 

N. C. Railroad 200,000 00 

Toledo, Wabash and Western R. R 200,000 00 

Qrincy and Palmyra Railroad 100,000 00 

Estimated Value of Real Estate — 

Levee at foot of Main street, [1,550 ft front] . . . 850,000 00 

Levee at foot of Washington street 25,000 00 

Washington Square 225,000 00 

Jefferson Square 125,000 00 

Franklin Square 85,000 00 

Hospital Grounds 15,000 00 

Webster School house and Lot 35,000 00 

Jefferson School House and Lot 8,000 00 

Franklin School House and Lot 10,000 00 

Four Engine Houses and Lots 24,000 00 

Market No. 1 25,000 00 

Market Lot No. 2 8,000 00 

Total $1,470,000 00 

Total Debt 684,042 21 



Total amount of Resources over and above Debts _$785,957 79 



61 



DESCRIPTIVE. 



The citv of Quincy is situated upon the Eastern shoi'e of the 
Mississippi, at an elevation of about one hundred and twenty feet 
above the level of the river. For a distance of many miles 
above and below, the Bluffs on the Illinois side are sei>arated 
from the river by a wide extent of Bottom Land, covered with 
waetr at every inundation, and intersected by sloughs and 
^ marshes, rendering the main channel inaccessable for purposes 
of commerce. At this point they rise almost from the water's 
edge, and form a Landing, practicable for steamboats of the 
largest class, at all seasons of the year. The elevation upon 
which the city is built commands a view of the river for more 
than fifteen miles in either direction, which is unsurpassed for 
the variety and beauty of its scenery. Lagrange, at a distance 
of twelve miles to the Xorth, and Palmyra, fourteen miles to 
the South-west, may be distinctly seen on a clear day from the 
summit of the Bluff. No landscape on the Mississippi is more 
lo\ely than that Avhich is here presented to the eye in the season 
of foliage. The bold out-line of the Bluffs skirting the West- 
ern horizon, the wide expanse of forest on either side extending 
^) to the water's edge, and the thickly wooded islands dotting the 
surface of the stream, combine to form a picture such as rarely 
meets the eye amid the comparatively monotonous scenery of 
the West. The Mississippi at this point is about one mile in 
width. Its Western shore is lined by a dense forest, extending 



62 

several miles into the interior, and affording an ample supply of i 
fuel and lumber. The North-western portion of the cityr 
extends along the shore of a beautiful sheet of water, nowq 
known as "Quincy Bay," but Avhich, in " early times," wass 
called "Boston Bay," as were the Bluffs upon which the city, 
now stands called "Boston Hills" — being named by the Indianss 
after a trader, who, in the employ of the "Boston Fur Compa-i 
ny," established a Trading Post about three miles above thiss' 
point. Many of the largest manufacturing establishments of I 
Quincy are built upon tlie shore of tliis beautiful inlet. The 
country in the immediate vicinity of the city is gently rolling. 
Groves of magnificent trees alternate with fields which, in the}! 
season of tillage, are covered with an abundant vegetation.- 
Neat and comfortable farm-houses, and highly cultivated farms, , 
everywhere attest the industry and success with which the busi- 
ness of agriculture is carried on. 

The unequalled beauty of its site, the taste displayed in its< 
plan, improvement and public buildings, as well as the orderly 
and industrious habits of its citizens, have gained for Quincy 
the justly merited title of the "Model City." The area embraced! 
within its corporate limits is about five square miles. The : 
streets arc laid off with perfect regularity, df ample width, , 
occupying easy grades, and in the business portion of the city 
they are thoroughly macadamized. The side-walks are wide and I 
substantially paved with brick, and extend over almost the ' 
entire area occupied by buildings. Their aggregate length is ; 
no less than thirty-three miles — a greater extent of brick pave- 
ment than is to be found in all the other cities and towns in 
lUinois together, Chicago not excepted. Several of the princi- 
pal streets are paved for a distance of more than two miles with 
side-walks of the most substantial character. The streets 
throughout the city are kept in thorough repair, even at the 
most unfavorable seasons of the year. Gas Works were erect- 
ed in the fall of 1855, and the streets are now well lighted in 
all the most freqxiented parts of the city. . 



63 



Great attention has been given, from the earliest times, to 
shading and adorning pubUe and private grounds throughout 
the city. The forest trees have been preserved, so far as it 
could be done consistently with the necessities of building and 
grading; and where they were wanting, thrifty elms and maples 
have been transplanted, and arc now becoming yearly more 
valual)lc for the purposes of ornament and shade. The people 
of Quincy have never been so engrossed with the mania for 
speculation as to forget the duty which the founders of a city 
owe to coming generations. Hence, large tracts of valuable 
real estate, some of it in the very heart of the city, have been 
purchased by the city government, and reserved for Parks and 
Ornamental Grounds. 

Washington Square !s in the central portion of the city. It 
is neatly enclosed, and beautifully shaded by fine forest trees, 
and is surrounded by business houses which may challenge 
comparison with the finest portions of St. Louis and Chicago. 
Jefferson Park is in the North-eastern part of the city. It is 
pleasantly located, and adds much to the beauty of this part of 
the city. Franklin Square is situated on the Bluff, and com- 
mands a fine view of the river and its Western shore. Wood- 
land Park is a beautiful enclosure of twenty-five acres, in the 
Southern suburbs of the city. It was selected as a place of 
public recreation for its rare natural beauty, and convenient 
location. It is shaded by native forest trees, and watered by a 
copious and never-failing spring, which gushes forth, clear and 
cool, from the hill-side. Art could do nothing to improve or 
embelHsh this beautiful tract of wood-land, and it has been left 
almost in a state of nature. 

If the actual value of the grounds thus devoted to the purpo- 
ses of ornament and recreation, was invested in enterprises of 
more immediate utility, it would go very far to promote the 
extension of the commerce and business of Quincy. But the 
City Fathers have steadily adhered to the far wiser policy of 



64 

securing to her citizens, for all time to come, tlie means oJifl 
innocent and healthful recreation. Other towns, which havee] 
neglected this most important object, will doubtless regret,l,j 
when it is too late, that some " corner lots" and " desirablec 
business locations," were not sacrificed to its promotion. Thei 
beauty of the public Parks of Quincy, and the taste displayedi! 
in the grounds surrounding her private residences, may account') 
for the remark almost invariably made by disinterested stran-i 
gers, that " Quincy is the finest city in the West." 

From the business centre of the city the ground inclines 
gently to the North, South and East, affording many sites ol)! 
rare beauty for private residences. The natural advantages oM 
the location have been improved with a taste and liberality;, 
seldom found in a country where the useful is so generally} 
cultivated at the expense of the beautiful. Our successful andii 
independent men of business have contributed so generally ton 
■every object of public interest, that they may well be excused! 
for displaying a similar magnificence in the adornment of their 
homes. Many elegant residences are now in process of erec-' 
tion in various parts of the city. Among these is the dwelling', 
of Lieutenant-Governor Wood, which, when completed, will be^ 
the most beautiful, as well as the most costly, private residence^ 
in the State. , 

Woodland cemetery is situated in the South-western portion ! 
of the city, extending on the Western side neai^ly toi 
the river. It includes an area of forty-five acres. The grounds 
are tastefully arranged, and thickly wooded with noble oaks and 
maples of native growth. The retirement of the situation, and 
the delightful scenery around, render it singularly appropriate! 
to the purpose to which it is devoted. No one who has everr, 
visited it can fail to admire the taste which presided over the 
selection and adornment of this beautiful spot. 

The great extension of the trade of Quincy, consequent upon i 
her increased facilities for Railroad communication, has beeni 



65 



followed by a rapid improvement in the character of her busi- 
ness houses. A very considerable portion of the city has been 
.almost entirely re-built since the opening of the "Quincy and 
Chicago Railroad ;" and the process of improvement is still 
dapidly going on. The best material is employed in building, 
and great attention is paid to the selection of appropriate plans 
and designs. The necessary limits of this article will not 
permit us to enumerate the many handsome and substantial 
buildings which have been erected by our leading merchants 
and manufacturers during the past year. One of the most 
conspicuous of them is the fine block lately erected by Mr. 
Konantz, sixty feet front and five stories high — a building 
which compares favorably with anything of the kind in the 
West. Messrs. Flagg & Savage, who are among our leading 
bankers and capitalists, are now erecting, at the South-east 
corner of Washington Square, a magnificent business block, 
consisting of four store rooms one hundred feet deep, and four 
stories in height. These stores are all engaged at a rent which 
will return a handsome interest on the capital invested. Messrs. 
E. K. Stone & Co. are now building two fine stores of the same 
dimensions, and Mr. A. C. Lomelino has nearly completed a 
building of a similar character, which is a model in all respects 
of business architecture. All of these have iron fronts, and 
will compare favorably with any business blocks in our largest 
cities. For want of space we are unable to notice particularly 
many other business houses now in process of erection, which 
are hardly inferior to those above mentioned. Notwithstanding 
the large number of buildings of this character which have 
been recently constructed, the demand still keeps pace with the 
supply, and gives abundant proof of the rapid growth of the 
commerce and business of Quincy. 

Much attention has been given to the " organization of an 
efficient system of public schools. Large and convenient build- 
ings have been erected in various parts of the city, and these 

9 '■ 



66 

. !i 

are well supplied with experienced and competent instructors.^ 
The large number of pupils in attendance — being over 1,000 — 
is a flattering indication of the interest which is felt in theJ 
important subject of popular education. In the public schooM 
instruction is given in those branches of science which are ojI 
universal utility. For pupils who desire to pursue a morei) 
extensive course of study, there are a variety of private instii 
tutions — many of them of a very high character. Among<j 
these the Methodist Male and Female College is vrorthy of espeo' 
cial mention. It is well endowed, and employs a large corps o: 
accomplished and competent teachers, who give instruction ten 
a large number of pupils, in the various practical and orna« 
mental branches whfch are considered essential to a thorougl;li 
and finished education. The building occupied by this schooJ)! 
is large and handsome, and well supplied with libraries andd 
scientific apparatus. Arrangements have been made for estab-i- 
lishing, at an early day, a College on a larger scale than anyv. 
institution of the kind now existing in the State. The knownn 
wealth and intelHgence of the gentlemen who have engaged inn 
this movement, are an ample guarantee of its complete success.3, 
The buildings occupied by the public schools of Quincy aree 
generally large and commodious, and are sufficient to accommo-)^ 
date all the children of the city who are entitled by law to par-> 
ticipate in the advantages which they afford. The Fifth Wardd 
school house is an excellent specimen of school architecture.:. 
The public schools have been, since their establishment, underr 
the supervision of competent Superintendents, and the systemii 
which has been organized and administered has proved, in thee 
highest degree, efficient and satisfactory. 

Quincy is honorably distinguished among her sister cities byy 
the unusual number, as well as the size and beauty, of herr 
churches. Her religious societies are numerous, influential and;l 
wealthy, and are remarkable for the liberality with which theyy 
contribute to the various objects of Christian benevolence.^ 



67 

Their influence is strongly felt in maintaining an elevated moral 
tone in the community. The first settlers of Quincy were reli- 
gious men, and the character which they early impressed upon 
the infant city is still retained. The clergy who supply her 
pulpits have ever been distinguished for learning and ability, 
as. well as for the disinterested zeal which they have manifested 
in promoting the important ends of moral and intellectual 
improvement. N^early all the church edifices of the city are 
handsome and imposing structures. One of the most beautiful 
among them is the church recently erected by the Baj^tist 
Society, on Yermont street — an edifice unsurpassed in the 
gracefulness of its architecture, and the fitness for the object 
to which it is consecrated. The Congregational churches on 
Jersey, and the Catholic churches on Maine are also large and 
handsome buildings. 

Several benevolent and charitable associations have been 
formed in this city, and may now be considered as permanently 
established. Among these the Orders of Masons and Odd 
Fellows, and the German and Irish benevolent societies are 
worthy of especial mention. All these associations are large 
and flourishing, and have been the means of alleviating much 
of the want and suffering which exist to a greater or less extent 
in all populous towns. 

An efficient Fire Department was early organized, and the 
city regulations upon this subject are stringent, and rigidly 
enforced. Owing to the general use of fire-proof material in 
building, and the public spirit and excellent discipline of our 
Tire Companies, we have hitherto enjoyed an unusual exemp- 
ition from disasters by fire. Our condition in this respect com- 
ipares most favorably with that of our neighboring cities. 

To the emigrant who is about selecting a permanent location 
iin the great West, no consideration is more important than the 
(moral and social character of the population in the various 
ilocalities which invite emigration and settlement. No facihties 



68 

for the prosecution of business, and the acquisition of wealth, , 
can compensate for the absence of an intelHgent society andl 
educational advantages. In many of the rising cities of thei' 
West the rage for speculation and money-getting has not onlyi 
vitiated the moral tone of the community to' a very serious ^ 
extent, but has prevented any adequate effort to secure the:' 
means of intellectual culture to the rising generation. In their r' 
anxiety to secure abundant wealth for their children, the 
citizens of these towns have forgotten that wealth, unaccompa-- 
nied by intelligence, can only be injurious to its possessor. Itt 
was most fortunate for Quincy, that during the period which i 
elapsed between the first settlement within her limits, and the.' 
more recent commencement of her rapid growth, an efficient t 
system of education had been organized, and an elevated morall! 
tone established and maintained. The subsequent growth off 
her population, though rapid, has been regular and healthy, andl? 
its materials have been drawn mainly from the better class off! 
Eastern emigrants, characterized by habits of industry, enter-- 
prise and business integrity, and by an orderly and peaceful! l 
disposition. Hence, Quincy has never been disgraced by those' 
scenes of lawless violence which have been too often witnessed 1 
in the streets of Western cities. An efficient Police System i 
secures the safety of person and property. A liberal andl 
enlightened spirit displays itself in works of public utility andlj 
ornament. The eager and successful pursuit of business has i 
not excluded attention to the higher end of moral and intellec- - 
tual culture, and the Eastern emigrant may find here that public;' 
order, social refinement, and universal intelligence, which he ; 
most valued in his former home, together with an enlarged and I 
generous liberality of sentiment, which is found only in the ' 
West. 

In enumerating the advantages of Quincy as a place of resi- ■ 
dence, the healthfulness of her location should not be forgotten. 
The city is almost entirely exempt from the diseases which are 



69 

the scourge of the Mississippi Yalley. The streets are kept 
carefully clean, and no business is permitted to be carried on 
within the city limits which might be injurious to its sanitary 
condition. The elevated site upon which Quincy is built, and 
her copious supply of excellent water, may account for the 
very small annual mortality, as shown by the official returns. 

Having thus enumerated some of the many advantages of our 
beautiful city as a place of residence, we have only to say, in 
conclusion, that we invite the emigrant, who is in search of a 
home, to visit Quincy and test the correctness of our statements 
by the results of his own observation. If, upon doing so, he 
finds her deficient in those requisites, which he deems essential 
to a good location, he will do well to retrace his steps, and 
abandon the idea of settlement in the West. But we are confi- 
dent that no person who is made of the right stuff for a West- 
ern man, can fail to appreciate the admirable location of our 
city, and the enterprise, intelligence and refinement of her 
people. 



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